New Hope Police Warn About Dangers of Distracted Driving
New Hope police joined law enforcement in other communities in continuing to educate drivers about the dangers of not paying attention to the road during April, which the National Safety Council deems Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Law enforcement remind drivers to not have any distractions that could take their eyes from the road.
“Things can happen in the snap of a finger, and if you’re distracted, it makes it all the more difficult to prevent that,” said Officer Brad Kallio, who is New Hope’s community relations and crime prevention specialist. “It’s all about preventing accidents that otherwise could have been prevented.”
Distractions while driving, according to Kallio, are anything that take your eyes off the road: cell phones, food, other passengers, the radio in your car.
Hands-Free State Law
Kallio reminds drivers that Minnesota has a strict hands-free law, which prohibits drivers from holding a phone at any time.
“We’re looking for people who are holding onto their phones,” said Kallio. “It’s still pretty prevalent throughout the area, so we’re still out educating on that law and just trying to keep people safe that way.”
