QUESTION: Is distracted driving an increasing problem, or is it just more publicized?

RESPONSE: According to Minnesota Department of Public Safety statistics, driving has become a “secondary” activity for a growing number of people: 25 percent of all crashes in the last five years are attributed to distracted driving; on average, distracted driving accounts for 60 fatalities and 8,000 injuries annually; in 2013, inattention was the contributing factor in 23 percent of all crashes.

In Minnesota, it is illegal for drivers to read, compose or send texts/emails, as well as access the web on a wireless device while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic — including at a stoplight/stop sign or when stopped in traffic. It is also illegal for drivers under age 18 to use a cell phone at any time.

Minnesota’s “no texting” law was enacted in August of 2008 and citations have increased each year: 2009 — 388 citations, 2010 — 847 citations, 2011 — 1,270 citations, 2012 — 1,718 citations, 2013 — 2,189 citations.

Driver distractions go beyond texting. Daydreaming, reaching for items, manipulating the radio/music/vehicle controls, eating/drinking, dealing with misbehaving children and grooming all can be driver distractions.

So, before driving think seriously about putting your cell phone out of reach, leaving your lipstick in your purse and your comb in your pocket, pre-programming radio stations and arranging music in an easy-to-access spot, mapping out destinations in advance, avoiding eating foods, especially messy foods and intentionally enforcing the parenting rule that you will not drive if children are not securely buckled into their car seats and cooperating with the driver.

Multi-tasking can be efficient, but not when you are driving. Most traffic crashes are avoidable when we intentionally change driving behaviors; they are not “accidents.”

To talk with a parenting specialist about the challenges in child-raising, call the toll-free Parent WarmLine at 1-888-584-2204/Línea de Apoyo at 1-877-434-9528.