Bob CollinsThe results, so far, from the Minnesota State Patrol’s crackdown on distracted drivers suggest maybe it shouldn’t be a short-term crackdown.
Surely by now it can’t be a secret to any driver that portable electronic devices and driving safely don’t go together. There is no shortage of individuals whose lives have been ruined to attest to it.
Yet, check out the State Patrol’s Twitter feed for the last 24 hours:
43YOM stopped by troopers on SB Hwy. 100 at 70th St. for using his tablet while driving. See a distracted driver? Call 911. #SpeakUpMN
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) April 14, 2015
24YOF stopped by troopers SB Hwy. 169/114th in Champlin for looking at Google maps while accelerating from stop light. #SpeakUpMN
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) April 14, 2015
Why look at the tablet? The little voice will tell you how to get where you’re going. Trust the little voice.
26YOM driver stopped by troopers on NB I-35W & 46th St. using both hands to check emails. See a distracted driver? Call 911. #SpeakUpMN
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) April 14, 2015
It’s unlikely there’s an email worth reading while driving, but, come on, two hands?
Shaving while driving? A DPS employee just witnessed it at I-94EB & Maple Grove Pkwy. See a distracted driver? Call 911. #SpeakUpMN
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) April 14, 2015
20sYOM pulled over by trooper said he was texting his wife & didn't notice trooper for 1+ miles. Also cited for no seat belt. #SpeakUpMN
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) April 14, 2015
56YOF pulled over in Hopkins this AM for painting her nails behind the wheel. With a distracted driver? Tell them to stop. #SpeakUpMN
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) April 13, 2015
Trooper pulled over 33YOF eating ice cream cone. Keep your hands on the wheel & #SpeakUpMN if you see a distracted driver.
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) April 14, 2015
And here is where we have a problem. Is eating an ice cream cone distracted driving? Is it time to outlaw drive-throughs?
Twitter pushed back, of course.
@MnDPS_MSP just spotted a guy checking his mph guage while driving. FAIL! Am I right guys? Lol. #SpeakUpMN
— David (@DBowar) April 14, 2015
REMEMBER: Police are not above the law! If you see an officer driving while running a plate-check, be certain to dial 911! #SpeakUpMN #ACAB
— OccupyMN (@OccupyMN) April 14, 2015
@nygaard33 @AlanStump1 @MnDPS_MSP Radios?! Adjusting heat/air?? Possibilities are endless.. #SpeakUpMN #JustDontDrive
— K (@kuchera23) April 14, 2015
@xtina1229 I got pulled over for sneezing. Cop said I need to keep my eye open while driving #SpeakUpMN #ItMightHappen
— Andrew S (@air92503) April 14, 2015
Archive: Texting laws making little difference (NewsCut).
