Distracted Driving Enforcement Results Announced In Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — The Wallingford Police Department issued more than 200 infractions during the recent campaign, held in conjunction with the state Department of Transportation, against distracted driving. The campaign was held from Aug. 1 to Aug. 15 in which funding was made available to support overtime allowing Wallingford Police Officers to “specifically dedicate their efforts to enforce distracted driving violations,” according to Lt. Anthony DeMaio.

“Offenders were cited for using cellular phones to engage in, among other things, conversation, texting, emailing, Facebook activities, surfing the internet, scrolling through music, and hand-held GPS navigation, all while operating their vehicle,” DeMaio wrote in a press release. “Activities such as these distract drivers from the important task of safely operating their vehicles by taking their eyes off the road, leading to a high number of crashes.”

While working specifically on this grant, Wallingford Police Officers issued 206 infractions and/or summonses, of which, 177 operators were cited for cellphone and/or texting type violations, according to DeMaio. Another 37 offenses were cited, including DUIs, miscellaneous drug offenses, misuse of marker plates, operating motor vehicles with a suspended license, stop sign, speeding and seatbelt violations, among other issues. To sign up for Wallingford breaking news alerts and more, click here.

DeMaio said that while the grant supplemented the Wallingford Police Department’s efforts in distracted driving enforcement, “as we always have, we will put forth a continual dogged effort to make Wallingford roadways safer.”

“We encourage those who are driving through our community not to text while driving and to use the appropriate hands-free device to conduct conversations while operating a motor vehicle,” Police Chief William Wright said. “As evidenced by the dedication that our officers put forth in this latest initiative, and from the sheer number of violations of this most recent campaign, we are once-again reminded that our distracted driving countermeasures need to continue in order to provide our community with the safest travel experience possible.”

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