Oak Lawn Police Release April ‘Distracted Driving’ Score Card

OAK LAWN, IL — April was Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Oak Lawn police were paying special attention to drivers who weren’t paying attention, especially those who were texting and driving.

Oak Lawn police joined forces with state and local law enforcement and highway safety partners to bring a heightened awareness to stop motorists from engaging in behavior that takes their eyes off the road, such as texting or reading texts, using cell phones in anything but hands-free mode, applying makeup, adjusting speed control and GPS systems, or drinking beverages. Even taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds can have disastrous consequences.

During the month of April, Oak Lawn police announced the following results:

• 78 hands-free violations
• 7 seatbelt violations
• 3 child seat violations
• 1 DUI
• 3 suspended license violations
• 1 criminal arrest
• and 29 miscellaneous violations

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2020, distracted driving killed 3,142 people. Young drivers seem more prone to using their phones while driving. NHTSA research showed that from 2017, drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers have since 2007. It isn’t just young people who are driving distracted, since drivers in other age groups don’t lag far behind.

“Using your phone in anything other than hands-free mode in Illinois is not only dangerous, but also illegal,” said Sgt. M. Acke, traffic coordinator for the Oak Lawn Police Department. “Break the cycle. Drop it and drive.”