Newington Police To Crack Down On Distracted Driving In April

NEWINGTON, CT —The Newington Police Department will increase enforcement of distracted driving laws throughout April as part of a statewide initiative tied to National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Police said patrols will be stepped up from Wednesday, April 1, through April 30 under the “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign, conducted in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office.

Officers will focus on identifying and citing drivers who are texting, using handheld devices, or otherwise diverting attention from the road.

Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto emphasized the risks associated with distracted driving.

“Driving requires your full attention every second you’re on the road,” Eucalitto said. “Even a brief distraction, such as checking a notification or sending a quick text, can lead to devastating consequences. This campaign is a reminder that distracted driving is dangerous, illegal, and entirely preventable.”

The enforcement effort is part of a broader statewide push to reduce crashes linked to driver inattention. Officials did not specify changes to penalties but indicated that enforcement visibility will increase during the campaign period.

The NPD urged motorists to adopt safer driving habits, including avoiding phone use behind the wheel, setting navigation and music before driving, and using built-in “Do Not Disturb While Driving” features.

Drivers are also encouraged to pull over safely if they need to send messages or make calls and to rely on passengers for assistance when possible.

For more information about distracted driving prevention, visit this link.