![Texting and Driving, Challenges of Enforcement](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/09/cell-phone.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Texting and Driving, Challenges of Enforcement
BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) - While the number of citations given by state troopers for texting and driving has steadily increased in Minnesota, the North Dakota Highway Patrol says enforcing that state's new texting law has been a challenge.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol has issued just two tickets and five warnings statewide in the nearly two months since the ban took effect. Drivers caught using a wireless communications devise to compose, read or send a message can be fined $100. Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Jody Skogen says enforcement of the law may continue to be sporadic as troopers struggle to catch drivers in the act.
In Minnesota, 18 texting tickets were issued in 2008 when the law was enacted, 137 citations were made in 2009, 355 tickets in 2010 and 332 tickets through Aug. 31 of this year.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Citations for Texting While Driving up 23 Percent from 2016](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/02/Texting.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Local Authorities Hand Out 27 Citations During Short-Term Traffic Detail](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/10/Stearns-County-Sheriff-1-300x234.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)