New Grant to Help Get Closer Look Into Minnesota Distracted Driving

Distracted driving contributed to an average of 29 deaths and 146 life-changing injuries per year in Minnesota from 2019-2023, according to preliminary numbers from the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

Utilizing Data to Combat Distracted Driving in Hennepin County

Due to these numbers, OTS is using a $100,000 grant from Michelin Mobility Intelligence (MMI) and the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) to help determine how to reduce distracted driving on Minnesota roads. The grant was a​warded to OTS as a credit that covers the cost of MMI data.

“The ultimate goal is to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roads," said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “The more information we have, the more effective our efforts to improve driver behaviors will be so we can all get home safe."

The agreement with MMI and GHSA gives OTS access to a unique set of data on distracted driving, speeding, and harsh braking (for example, slamming on the brakes) in Hennepin County. The data is collected from a variety of sources by MMI, such as cell phone apps that ask people to voluntarily agree to provide anonymous data.

This is data OTS wouldn't normally have access to but could prove crucial while working to figure out the root cause of distracted driving and effective ways to get drivers to change their behaviors. As part of the project, OTS provided MMI with anonymous crash, citation, and speed limit data.

Expanding Safety Measures Across Minnesota Based on Key Insights

OTS plans to use MMI's analysis to identify areas that have unusually high numbers of dangerous behaviors. As the division learns more, officials will be able to look at the best ways to keep people safe on roads; this could be through targeted education efforts, law enforcement, or other efforts. Data will also be distributed to partners in the Toward Zero D​eaths program.

The project is currently focused on Hennepin County, the most populous county in Minnesota. Once the analysis is received from MMI — which is expected by the end of August 2024— OTS experts will decide whether to expand the project to other counties.