Today, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) launched Put the Phone Away or Pay, a high-visibility enforcement campaign for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April.
In partnership with State and local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the campaign will step up enforcement efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws from April 1 to April 30, 2024.
Nationally in 2021, there were 3,522 people killed and an estimated 362,415 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. In Connecticut in 2021, there were over 5,600 crashes attributed to distracted driving that resulted in nine fatalities and more than 850 injuries.
“We urge all drivers to prioritize safety by keeping their focus on the road and not on their phones. Every moment behind the wheel demands our full attention,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “This enforcement effort aims to remind everyone that distracted driving is illegal, dangerous, and deadly. Let’s work together to make Connecticut’s roads safer for everyone.”
“Any time a driver engages in activities that take their eyes and attention off the road, they increase their risk of being involved in a collision. Reading text messages or checking a vehicle’s GPS system reduces a driver’s ability to recognize and appropriately respond to hazards in the roadway and changes in traffic flow, putting the driver, their passengers, pedestrians and other travelers at a significant risk of serious injury or death,” said Interim Colonel Daniel Loughman, commanding officer of the Connecticut State Police. “Safety can’t wait, but a text message can. Always pull over to a safe location, off of the highway, before sending a text message, using a GPS device, or having a complex conversation on the phone or with a passenger. Everyone’s safety relies upon it.”
“Connecticut police are committed to ending the scourge of serious and deadly crashes caused by drivers distracted by their mobile devices,” said Watertown Police Chief and Vice President of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Josh Bernegger. “We will be out in force issuing traffic tickets to distracted drivers. So please, put the phone away or pay.”
Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are 16 or 17 years of age are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time, even with a hands-free accessory. Violating Connecticut’s distracted driving laws can be costly. Drivers who are ticketed are fined $200 for the first offense, $375 for the second offense, and $625 for the third and subsequent offenses.
The public is reminded of the following safety tips:
- When you get behind the wheel, be an example to your family and friends by putting your phone away. Texting and driving is not safe behavior.
- If you struggle to ignore your phone notifications, activate the “Do Not Disturb” feature or put your silenced device in your vehicle’s trunk, glove box, or back seat until you arrive safely at your destination.
- If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
- Give control of your phone to your passenger. Let them respond to calls or messages.
- Never engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
- Even when hands-free, do not stream or watch movies or videos.
- If you see someone texting while driving, speak up. Tell them to stop what they are doing because it is dangerous. If someone catches you texting while driving and tells you to put your phone away, put it down.
- Remember, when you get behind the wheel, Put the Phone Away or Pay.
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