A MnDOT grant is helping Coon Rapids Police educate drivers who use Northdale Boulevard about pedestrian safety, safe speeds and hands-free cell phone use behind the wheel.

A MnDOT grant is helping Coon Rapids Police educate drivers who use Northdale Boulevard about pedestrian safety, safe speeds and hands-free cell phone use behind the wheel.

On Wednesday, near the intersection of Foley and Northdale Boulevard, Coon Rapids Police targeted drivers using their cell phones behind the wheel which violates state law.

"So the state of Minnesota has provided extra funding for our department so we can have extra traffic enforcement to help cut down on some of the issues that we've seen across Northdale Boulevard over the years,” Tyler Sinclair, sergeant with the Coon Rapids Police said.

The ‘Be Aware, Get There’ safety campaign ‘Be Aware, Get There’ safety campaign is being paid for by a Safe Road Zone grant, which aims to get drivers to put down their phone, drive the posted speed limit and watch for pedestrians. Last year, Northdale Boulevard between Hanson Boulevard and University Avenue saw 218 traffic-related incidents and 64 accidents.

Back in November, police targeted crosswalk violations along Northdale Boulevard. They stopped drivers who failed to yield, and drove through the crosswalk, while it was in use, by a pedestrian.

Another challenge with Northdale Boulevard is the change in speed limits, from 35 miles per hour near residential and school zones, to 45 mph in the industrial park area.

"We're hoping that we can just raise more awareness that as people use Northdale Boulevard, that they pay attention to how fast they're going," said City Engineer Mark Hansen.

The Public Works Department has a role to play in this safety campaign, to work with the Anoka County Highway Department and bring new signage to the Northdale corridor.

"The Engineering Department's role in the Safe Road Zone grant from the State includes the installation of dynamic speed display signs, driver feedback signs that will let motorists know what the speed limit is and then how fast they're going," Hansen said.

Look for the new signs to be installed later this spring. The added enforcement for the ‘Be Aware, Get There’ safety campaign will continue into early summer.

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SOURCE: CTN