State Patrol Using Unmarked Cars To Find Distracted Drivers
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota State Patrol is taking a new approach to catch distracted drivers.
They're adding more unmarked vehicles to their fleet. Most drivers will put the phone down if they see a squad car, the unmarked vehicles make it easier to spot someone texting and driving.
Rachel Slavik explains why law enforcement officers think this method could have an impact on driver behavior.
Spend any time on the road and you will see someone who's attention isn't on driving.
"It's hard to fathom the amount of distraction every day on every trip you take," Dan Philips said.
For Philips, that kind of distraction hurts. He knows the life-changing consequences of a text behind the wheel.
"It makes me angry because I know what the result can be," he said.
In 2007, his daughter, Kelly, died in a crash after the driver checked her phone. Sadly, she wouldn't be the last.
"We feel those families' pain because we know what those families went through," Dan Philips said.
In 2014, 61 people died and another 7,000 were injured from inattentive driving. Law enforcement officials know there's no easy solution, but they still want to try.
"To be honest as State Troopers we're as tired of distracted drivers as the public is," officer Nate Danley said.
The Minnesota State Patrol added five unmarked squads this month, allowing troopers to hide in plain sight.
"Having an unmarked car allows us a better opportunity to see what's going on behind the wheel and make sure people are paying attention," Danley said.
One week in and Danley already sees its value. Drivers without fear of getting caught do. The hope is it creates a deterrent to change behavior behind the wheel, and possibly save a life along the way.
"I think we will catch some people in the act and maybe a ticket will help," Philips said.
The new unmarked squads will be in Marshall, Mankato, Bemidji and the east and west Twin Cities metro. This year, Minnesota also bumped up the penalty if you're caught texting and driving more than once.
The fine for a first offense is $50 but if you're caught again, that amount jumps to $225.
