Berlin Police To Step Up Distracted Driving Enforcement

Information via Berlin Police

BERLIN, CT - From April 11 to April 15, 2019 the Berlin Police will be out in force looking for distracted drivers as part of the U Drive. U Text. U Pay. campaign, a high-visibility effort to enforce distracted-driving laws.

Drivers are continuously ignoring their responsibilities behind the wheel, and distracted driving is a growing and deadly threat on our roadways. Berlin Police is teaming up with the Connecticut Department of Transportation during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) National Distracted Driving Awareness month to make sure all motorists keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.

Distracted driving is a real problem. During this enforcement period, officers will be ticketing anyone who is texting or on their phone while behind the week. The bottom line is if you text and drive, you will pay.
Violating Connecticut’s distracted driving laws can be costly. Drivers who are ticketed for this violation can be fined $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense and $500 for third and subsequent offenses.

According to NHTSA, there were 3,166 people killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2017. While this reflects a 9 percent decrease from 2016 to 2017, there is still much work to be done. In the last six years, 9.5 percent of all fatal crashes involved a distracted driver.

An analysis by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety of 2009-2012 data found that while more than 80 percent of drivers believed it was completely unacceptable for a motorist to text behind the wheel, more than a third of those same drivers admitted to reading text messages while operating a passenger motor vehicle themselves.

The Berlin Police Department, NHTSA, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation urge you to put your phone down when you get behind the wheel. If you need to text, pull over and park your vehicle in a safe place first. Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. Break the cycle. Remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay.

Remind your family and friends to never text and drive:
• When you get behind the wheel, be an example to your family and friends by
putting your phone away. Texting and driving isn’t trendy “normal” behavior—it’s
a selfish, deadly and, oftentimes, illegal activity that could kill you, a loved one, a
friend, or a stranger.
• In 47 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands, texting while driving is an illegal, ticketable offense. You could end up
paying a hefty fine, and could get points on your license.
• If you see something, say something. If your friends text while driving, tell them to
stop. Listen to your passengers: If they catch you texting while driving and tell
you to put your phone away, put it down.
• Remember, when you get behind the wheel, put your phone away. U Drive. U
Text. U Pay.

For more information, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov.