Dramatic Video Shows Distracted Driver Hitting Minnesota Police Car
We've all done it-- looked down at your phone or at something else while we're driving. But a new video released by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety shows how scary distracted driving really is.
The video released yesterday shows a New Hope Police Department squad car getting completely slammed by another car that had run a red light as the squad drives through an intersection. And it all happened on a bright, sunny August day. (Remember when we used to see the sun here in Minnesota?!?)
Luckily, neither the driver of the car or the New Hope officer were injured in the crash-- outside of some swelling and soreness. And, the DPS says while the driver of the car was distracted, she wasn't looking at her phone, either-- she said she looked down to grab a drink just before the crash. She was given a ticket for failing to stop at a red light.
According to this KARE-11 story about the video, the DPS is quoted saying "one in five crashes in Minnesota over the last five years have been distracted driving-related. In those five years, seven people have died and more than 2,000 have been injured in Dakota County due to distracted driving," the story said.
The DPS said it's just another reminder of how dangerous it is to take your eyes off the road-- even for a second when you're behind the wheel!
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