Minnesota Law Agencies To Crack Down On Distracted Drivers

ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota law agencies have a message for motorists — put down that phone and drive.

More than 300 agencies will soon launch a statewide campaign to crack down on distracted drivers.

Starting Monday, officers will work overtime to enforce Minnesota's law banning texting while driving. The campaign runs through April 17.

Minnesota businesses such as Cargill and AT&T Minnesota joined the state Department of Public Safety at a news conference Wednesday to speak against the dangers of distracted driving.

Drivers face a $50 fine for the first texting-while-driving offense in Minnesota. For a subsequent offense, the fine jumps to $275.

Officials say distracted driving was a factor in more than 17,000 crashes in Minnesota in 2015, which caused 74 deaths and 174 serious injuries.