Farmington PD Seeks April Fools Who Drive Distracted

Farmington Police Department

FARMINGTON, CT — Local police Monday are looking for April fools who regularly drive distracted, part of April being National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The Farmington Police Department is partnering with the state Department of Transportation in a special, month-long enforcement campaign that could lighten the wallets of offenders.

From April 1-30, law enforcement will be looking for drivers who ignore Connecticut’s hand-held mobile electronics laws.

The initiative is called "Put the Phone Away or Pay."

Nationally in 2021, the last year that statistics were available, 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.

Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile electronic device while operating a
motor vehicle.

Drivers who are 16 or 17 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.

• 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.

For more information, visit this link.