Almost 1,600 motorists were cited for texting and driving across the state during the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Toward Zero Deaths Distracted Driving Campaign from April 9-22. The number is up from 1,017 during last year’s campaign.

Law enforcement also issued 1,883 seat belt citations, compared to 1,517 in 2017.

According to Austin Police Capt. David McKichan, Austin police officers and Mower County deputies worked 24 hours of overtime during the enforcement period and stopped 43 vehicles for various violations. They issued the following citations:

• One seatbelt ticket;

• One speeding ticket;

• One texting ticket; and

• Six driving after revocation/suspension of license tickets.

One individual was also arrested for DWI.

Overtime for the enforcement period was paid for with grant money from the DPS.

Under Minnesota law, the penalty for texting and driving is $50 plus court fees for the first offense and $275 plus court fees for each subsequent offense.