Minnesota Police Using A.I. to Catch Distracted Drivers, Issue Tickets

Minnesota law enforcement is stepping up efforts to curb distracted driving by deploying artificial intelligence (A.I.) technology to identify violators.
The Southlake Minnetonka Police Department has begun using A.I.-powered traffic cameras on Highway 7, designed to detect drivers using their phones while behind the wheel. The system immediately sends images of suspected violations to on-duty officers, who then determine whether a ticket should be issued.
Since the program launched earlier this month, police have already issued over 100 citations, and officials estimate the technology could detect 10,000+ cases of distracted driving by the end of the month, according to WCCO.
Distracted Driving in Minnesota: A Growing Problem
Distracted driving has been a persistent issue in the state. Mike Hanson, director of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety, calls the problem “disturbing and extremely frustrating.”
Between 2019 and 2023, distracted driving was a factor in over 30,000 crashes, leading to an average of 29 deaths and 146 life-changing injuries per year.
Under Minnesota’s hands-free law, drivers are prohibited from holding their phones for texting, taking photos, using social media, or searching for directions.
Penalties for Violating Minnesota’s Hands-Free Law
• First-time offense: $100+ including court fees
• Second/subsequent offense: $300+ including court fees
• Injury or death caused: Felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide
With the new A.I. system in place, more law enforcement agencies across the state may soon consider adopting this technology to reduce distracted driving crashes.
AP Citation: Dunken. “Minnesota Police Start Using A.I. to Target and Ticket Violators.” 1520 The Ticket, Feb. 24, 2025.
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