ALBERT LEA, Minn. – A crackdown on distracted driving will begin Monday throughout Minnesota.

The Albert Lea Police Department and the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office say they will joint more than 300 law enforcement agencies across the state in an extra enforcement campaign that will run through April 22.

“Who would run through the halls of a school or a crowded mall blindfolded? Only those looking to get hurt you might say,” said Albert Lea Police Lt. Jeff Strom. “So why would you do the same behind the wheel of a car? That’s essentially what people are doing when looking down at their phones. Enough is enough! Now is the time to change the culture, put down the phone, tune out the distractions and speak up if you see others on the road making dangerous decisions. Together we can save lives on Minnesota roads.”

Authorities say distracted driving contributes to one in five Minnesota crashes and the number of citations for texting while driving as grown from 1,707 in 2012 to 7,357 in 2017.