On the afternoon of Cinco de Mayo in Central Minnesota drivers in the area of Highway 23 and County road 75 from St. Cloud to St. Joseph may have noticed increased police patrol in the area. The increased patrol was a part of the Central Minnesota Reduction of Accidents for Safe Highways (C.R.A.S.H.) Task force which targeted drivers who were using electronic devices while operating their vehicles.

The distracted driving task force is a part of the state’s Toward Zero Death  initiative. A total of 104 people were stopped during the task force. Eight people were taken into custody, six for alleged driving while intoxicated and two for driving after withdrawal. Other violations included not wearing a seat belt and speeding.