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If state leaders choose not to expand the <br />list of administrative traffic offenses, they <br />should then change the distribution of <br />statutory violation fine revenues so that <br />cities are adequately compensated for <br />enforcement and prosecution costs. <br />SD -37. Driver Diversion Programs <br />Issue: Cities across Minnesota have <br />implemented traffic offense educational <br />diversion programs. These programs provide <br />an alternative to first-time petty <br />misdemeanor traffic citations. The <br />programs require an accused violator to <br />enroll in an educational class and <br />successfully complete the class. The courses <br />focus on safe driving and have been shown <br />to change behavior and reduce recidivism, <br />particularly among young drivers. <br />In 2014, a judge in Wabasha County ruled <br />that local units of government do not have <br />the authority to implement minor traffic <br />offense educations diversion programs. <br />Given this ruling, many longstanding, <br />successful diversion programs for first-time <br />offenders were suspended. <br />In 2008, the legislature approved a pilot <br />diversion program to allow individuals with <br />suspended or revoked licenses (who met the <br />Driver and Vehicle Services' eligibility <br />criteria) to obtain immediate reinstatement <br />of their driver's licenses, while paying off <br />all of the fines, fees, etc., they owe through a <br />payment plan. The pilot program is <br />scheduled to expire in June, 2017. The <br />session law governing the pilot requires that <br />all sums owed must be paid within 18 <br />months. Most people entering the DDP <br />have outstanding fines and fees in the <br />amount of between $1,000 and $4,000. <br />There are some individuals, however, who <br />owe as much as $8,000 to $10,000 in fines <br />and fees. The short timeline for making all <br />payments causes a number of otherwise <br />cooperative participants to drop out of the <br />program. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities supports clarifying Minnesota <br />Statutes to allow local units of <br />government to establish diversion <br />programs for holders of class D drivers' <br />licenses who commit one petty <br />misdemeanor driving offense involving no <br />aggravating factors. <br />The League of Minnesota Cities also <br />supports making the DDP pilot program <br />for individuals with suspended or revoked <br />licenses permanent and available to all <br />jurisdictions, and a broadening of the <br />eligibility criteria for participation in the <br />program so it is available to more people. <br />Lastly, the legislature should allow <br />jurisdictions to consider the financial <br />circumstances of individuals and grant <br />authority to extend the timeline for <br />collecting outstanding fines and fees <br />beyond the current 18 months. <br />SD -38. Distracted Driving <br />Issue: Distracted driving is when a driver <br />engages in any activity that might take <br />attention away from the primary task of <br />driving. According to the Minnesota <br />Department of Public Safety, one in four <br />motor vehicle crashes is related to distracted <br />driving. Distracted driving was a <br />contributing factor in 175 fatal crashes from <br />2011 to 2013 in Minnesota and resulted in <br />191 deaths. More than half of those crashes <br />occurred in rural areas. Those fatalities cost <br />the state more than $269 million. A <br />University of Utah study finds that the <br />relative risk of being in a traffic accident <br />while using a cell phone is similar to the <br />hazard associated with driving with a blood <br />alcohol level at the legal limit. <br />League of Minnesota Cities <br />2016 City Policies Page 25 <br />