STUDY: MN University Researchers Corner Cops On Distracted Driving

A group of student researchers from St. Mary's University of Minnesota (SMU) have concluded that the amount of technology inside a police squad car directly contributes to a growing number of police-involved auto crashes.

Conducted at the request of the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT), the Graduate School of Public Safety Administration study focuses on 378 police-involved crashes between 2006-2010. 

According to the SMU study, the total cost of the 378 closed crashes was $1,188,666, with distracted driving accounting for 14 percent of claims and 17 percent of costs.

Moreover, technology inside the squad car was said to have played a role in 12 percent of claims and account for 24 percent of costs.

The numbers seem negligible until the study reveals: "It should be noted however, that 48 percent of the closed claim files did not state clearly whether the crash was influenced by technology as reported by the claims adjuster or officer."

At the time of the study, the researchers were also not given access to 47 open cases of police-involved auto crashes between 2006-10, which they admit could further prove their conclusions.

SMU researchers also noted in their limitations section a distinct culture within law enforcement that may be skewing some of the data.

Put simply, officers may not be completely truthful when recounting the details of a crash for fear of disciplinary action.

The study states:

"Individual departmental policies and procedures presented an additional difficulty in gathering accurate data. An officer will be closely scrutinized following involvement in a work related crash. An officer who shows inattention, carelessness, or distraction while performing essential duties is at-risk for departmental discipline. Ultimately, discipline may lead to termination. It is understood that an officer may weigh these factors when giving a statement regarding the facts of a crash."

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate said his department's policy states that officers must report crashes in which they are involved, both on and off-duty. He said as a department they have infrequent crashes but had a minor one recently in which an officer who had been typing on the computer rear-ended another vehicle.

"I don't think there was any damage," he said.

Tate said the nature of the job compels officers to monitor other things while driving and that while eliminating those distractions is nearly impossible, officers must strive to set a good example.

"The most dangerous thing we do is drive," he said, citing all the time officers spend on the road, often in inclement weather and at times when bars are closing. "And when officers get a call, just grabbing for the radio can be a distraction."

Tate says as a police administrator he harps on his officers to stay safe while driving. He also requires officers to complete more drive training behind the wheel and using a driving simulator than is required by the state.

Shakopee squads are also set up with officer safety in mind, Tate said. He added that he and his staff will read the results of this study to determine if there are other ways to reduce officer-involved crashes.

The researchers are calling for the creation of a statewide program in which law enforcement officers are trained to recognize the increased risk associated with the use of technology while driving.

Related Topics: Distracted Driving, League of Minnesota Cities, Police-Involved Crashes, and St. Mary's University of MinnesotaHave you ever witnessed an officer driving while also working on his/her computer?