Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm Police Officer Chris Davis participates in a distracted driving traffic enforcement event in New Ulm Wednesday. A spotter who called out violations to other officers that included the New Ulm Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota State Patrol, Davis rides in a City of New Ulm van driven by a New Ulm Police Reserve member.

NEW ULM — In an effort to save lives by reducing speeders, distracted and aggressive driving, 19 law enforcement personnel from the New Ulm Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota State Patrol roamed city streets Wednesday.

Two officers and a trooper rode in a Minnesota Department of Transportation truck and two City of New Ulm vans. Spotters called out violations to other officers, deputies and troopers in marked squad vehicles.

Two-hour enforcement periods were held Wednesday morning and afternoon. Violations spotted included cell phone texting, reading, no seat belt and running stop lights. The decision to issue tickets or warnings was up to officer discretion.

Brown County Public Health, the Heart of New Ulm, New Ulm Medical Center and the Minnesota Officer of Public Safety partnered with law enforcement in the event.

“Last year during the 100 deadliest days in Minnesota (Memorial Day to Labor Day), speed played a role in 30 fatalities and speed was a contributing factor in 23 percent of single-vehicle crashes,” said Heart of New Ulm Project Advisor Cindy Winters.

“The higher your speed, the lower your chances of survival,” Winters said. “Our goal is to save lives…stop speeding before it stops you.”

“Even one life lost to speeding is one too many,” said Brown County Sheriff Jason Seidl. “Speeding violations typically cost $110 with court fees. Fines double for those traveling 20 mph over the limit. You can lose your license for six months for going 100 mph or more. If you are a passenger, speak up if the driver is going too fast. Speaking up could save lives. Remember, everyone plays a role in public safety.”

New Ulm Police Chief Dave Borchert said it’s a myth that we can multi-task while behind the wheel. He urged drivers to set their music, put their phone out of reach, figure out directions, secure drinks, avoid messy foods and use a passenger as a “designated texter,” allowing them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.

Borchert said the traffic enforcement event is not the last of it’s type that will be held in New Ulm.

The new Hands-Free Minnesota law takes effect Thursday, Aug. 1. It allows drivers to only use voice commands or single-touch activation without holding the phone.

Drivers will not lawfully hold a phone in their hands or use the phone at any time for video calling, video live-streaming, Snapchat, gaming, looking at video or photos stored on the phone, using non-navigation apps, reading texts and scrolling or typing on the phone.

Hand-held phone use will be allowed only to obtain emergency assistance, if there is an immediate threat to life and safety, or when in an authorized emergency vehicle while performing official duties.

GPS and other systems only used for navigation and in-vehicle screens and systems are exempt from the Hands-Free law. But most of these systems lock when the vehicle is moving.

The first Hands-Free law violation means a $50 ticket plus court fees. Second and later tickets are $275 plus court fees.

Smart watches are considered an electronic communications device under the hands-free law, so they have the same restrictions as a cell phone. Drivers can use a smart watch the same way they use a cell phone as long as it’s by one-touch or voice actuation. Drivers can use a smart watch to check time.

In 12 of 15 states with hands-free laws, traffic fatalities have decreased by an average of 15 percent, according to the National Safety Council and Insurance Federation, based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

For more information, visit HandsFreeMN.org.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.