Put the Phone Away or Pay: Extra Enforcement in April Focuses on Preventing Distracted Driving
For Immediate Release: Mar 31 2026
Law enforcement agencies across North Dakota will increase patrols throughout April to enforce the state's distracted driving law as part of the national distracted driving enforcement campaign Put the Phone Away or Pay.
Distracted driving is both dangerous and illegal. It includes any activity that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or mind off driving. While distractions come in many forms, texting and cell phone use remain the most common.
Although distracted driving is significantly underreported in North Dakota crashes, the consequences of inattention behind the wheel are clear. In 2024, lane departure crashes occured about every two hours in North Dakota. These crashes often happen when drivers take their attention off the road.
"A brief distraction can quickly lead to a driver drifting out of their lane, missing a cross walk or running a traffic light," said Bismarck Police Department Lieutenant Jeff Solemsaas. "Those few seconds have life-changing consequences."
In conjunction with the distracted driving campaign, Vision Zero is encouraging all North Dakotans to take the Buckle Up Phone Down pledge, committing to wearing a seat belt and driving distraction-free every trip, every time.
This campaign is part of the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.
CONTACT:
Justin Bailey, Safety Public Information Program Manager
NDDOT Highway Safety Division
jubailey@nd.gov | 701-328-2598