Wilton Police Crack Down on Distracted Driving

The Wilton Police Department are participating a program to crack down on drivers who text or talk on a hand-held mobile device while operating a motor vehicle.

The campaign began on Nov. 9 and runs through Nov. 22, 2015.

According to the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,154 people were killed and an estimated 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2013. Under Connecticut’s cell phone and texting laws, violations involve fines ranging from $150 for a first offense, to $300 for a second violation, and $500 for each subsequent violation.

The Wilton Police Department said in a release that their ultimate goal “is to ensure the public’s safety while traveling on our roadways. By educating the public through awareness as well as vigilance in enforcement, the Wilton Police hope to gain voluntary compliance of the distracted driving laws. As a result, the safety of our roadways will be ensured and potentially injurious or deadly accidents will be prevented.”