Police Cracking Down On Distracted Driving In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The West Hartford Police Department is continuing the 2017 campaign against distracted driving. The campaign, which began Aug. 2 and will run through Aug. 16, is made possible with a grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office, according to police.

The project is part of the “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” campaign, which will enforce Connecticut’s law that prohibits motorists using hand held cellular phones or mobile electronic devices while driving. The grant funds patrols that are dedicated to the enforcement of the distracted driving laws. There are eight extra officers per day patrolling in both marked and unmarked vehicles, police said. (To sign up for West Hartford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

The enforcement details will be deployed around the main thoroughfares in West Hartford including Park Road, New Britain Avenue, Farmington Avenue, North Main Street and Albany Avenue. Details will also be deployed around neighborhoods and other town streets where officers observe distracted driving, according to police.

West Hartford’s distracted driving patrols in April of 2017 resulted in 715 motor vehicle infractions being issued for distracted driving violations. In the first few days of the August campaign, West Hartford officers have issued over 100 infractions, according to police.

Under Connecticut’s cell phone and texting law, violations involve fines ranging from $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second violation, and $500 for subsequent violations.

“Our goal is to save lives by changing people’s behavior and deterring this dangerous habit” said Captain Jeff Rose of the West Hartford Police Traffic Division.

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