Police Cracking Down On Distracted Driving In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — The Hamden Police Department is partnering with the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through April 30th for the “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” high-visibility enforcement campaign.

“The campaign is both an educational initiative and enforcement effort to keep distracted drivers off the road,” police wrote in a news release. “The Hamden Police Department and the Connecticut Department of Transportation strongly urge motorists to stay off their cell phone when getting behind the wheel. If it’s necessary to talk on the phone or text, please park your motor vehicle in a safe location.”

There were nearly 5,200 crashes attributed to distracted driving in Connecticut in 2022, according to police.

“Violating Connecticut’s distracted driving laws can be costly,” police wrote. “Drivers who are ticketed are fined $200 for the first offense, $375 for the second offense and $625 for the third and subsequent offenses. Please drive safe and remember, it can wait!”