Polk County Sheriff’s Office with Increased Enforcement as Part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Fosston, MN — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their increased enforcement efforts to curb distracted driving as part of Districted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads. While drivers texting behind the wheel tops what seems like an endless list of distractions, other risky actions include talking — whether it be on the phone or to others in the car, setting your navigation, adjusting what you’re listening to, drinking coffee, applying makeup, and more. By driving distracted, you’re robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash.

Polk County Sheriff Jim Tadman reminds motorists of what constitutes “distracted driving.”

Sheriff Tadman says answering that phone call or replying to that text while driving isn’t worth it when you consider the fines and penalties if caught, or worse the consequences of getting into an accident and killing someone else.

Speaking specifically about younger drivers who could more easily distracted by friends riding along with them, Sheriff Tadman reminds them that that they need to control of the situation if their passengers are distracting them.

In 2020, distracted driving killed 3,142 people. Young drivers seem more prone to using their phones while driving. According to NHTSA research from 2017, drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers have since 2007.