SPEAK UP, PUT THE PHONE DOWN

Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minn. - A young mother of two, killed while on a bike ride with her kids. A teenager who was starting the first day of her senior year in high school, crashes and dies while sending a text. These are examples of how distracted driving has changed Minnesota lives in recent years. Starting April 13, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office will conduct extra enforcement on Minnesota roads in an effort to reduce distracted driving.

Speak Up

As part of the campaign, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office is encouraging anyone riding with a distracted driver to speak up and tell them to put the phone down. The result of distracted driving can be devastating as it contributes to one in four crashes, 64 deaths and 234 serious injuries each year in Minnesota.

"We all must do our part to change the behaviors of drivers wanting to text and drive," said Beltrami County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Ernie Beitel. "Speak up, tell your friends and loved ones to put the phone down before it's too late."

Cause for Concern - 2014 Distracted Driving Minnesota Statistics (Preliminary)

• 47 deaths

• 7,369 injuries

• 16,900 crashes

Distracted Driving - Nationwide Problem

• Drivers in their 20s make up 27 percent of the distracted drivers in fatal crashes (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

• During daylight hours, approximately 666,000 drivers are using cell phones or electronic devices while driving (National Occupant Protection Use Survey).

• Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute).

• A quarter of teens respond to a text message once or more every time they drive (University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute).

• Reaching for a phone, dialing or texting increases the risk of getting into a crash by three times (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute).

Know the Law

In Minnesota, it is illegal for drivers to read, compose or send texts and emails, and access the web while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic. That includes sitting at a stoplight or stop sign. It is also illegal for drivers with a permit or provisional driver's license to use a cell phone while driving, except for emergencies to call 911.

If you injure or kill someone because of texting and driving, you can face a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide.

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office underscores driver distractions is not specific to a cell phone. It can also include reaching for items, fiddling with radio/music/vehicle controls, eating/drinking, dealing with rowdy passengers, grooming and more.

"At 55 miles per hour, texting and driving is like traveling the length of a football field without looking up," said SPOKESPERSON. "Make the right choice before you get behind the wheel and put the phone down."

Make the Right Choice:

• Cell phones - Put the phone down, turn it off or place it out of reach.

• Music and other controls - Pre-program radio stations and arrange music in an easy-to-access spot. Adjust mirrors and ventilation before traveling.

• Navigation - Map out the destination and enter the GPS route in advance.

• Eating and drinking - Avoid messy foods and secure drinks.

• Children - Teach children the importance of good behavior in a vehicle and model proper driving behavior.

• Passengers - Speak up to stop drivers from distracted driving behavior and offer to help with anything that takes the driver's attention off the road.