The Albert Lea Police Department and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office on Monday began extra enforcement for distracted driving as part of a statewide campaign.

The campaign continues through April 22.

Minnesota law states it is illegal for drivers to read, send texts and emails, and access the web while a vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic — including at a stoplight or stop sign.

Other distractions that could lead to a crash include fiddling with controls for music, eating and drinking, children fighting or an adult passenger’s behavior, according to a press release.

“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 in the release. “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.”

According to a press release, distracted driving contributes to one in five crashes in Minnesota and an average of 59 deaths and 223 serious injuries a year from 2012 through 2016.

The release stated texting citations climbed nearly 23 percent from 2016 to 2017. If you injure or kill someone because of texting and driving, you can face a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide.

Police advise motorists to do the following:

• Put the phone down, turn it off or place it out of reach.

• Pre-program radio stations and arrange music in an easy-to-access spot. Adjust mirrors and ventilation before traveling.

• Map out your destination and enter the GPS route in advance.

• Avoid messy foods, and secure drinks.

• Teach children the importance of good behavior in a vehicle, and model proper driving behavior.

• Speak up to stop drivers from distracted driving behavior and offer to help with anything that takes the driver’s attention off the road.

The effort is part of the Toward Zero Deaths statewide campaign.