Month-Long Distracted Driving Campaign On Horizon In Plainfield: PD

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield police are gearing up to host a month-long campaign in April in light of Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The Plainfield Police Department is teaming up with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and more than 200 other local law enforcement agencies to increase enforcement efforts as part of the campaign paid for by federal safety funds administered by IDOT.

Officials said distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car crashes, so officers will boost efforts and stop anyone who is texting and driving. About 32,000 lives were lost to crashes involving distracted drivers between 2012 and 2021, according to police, who said those between the ages of 16 and 24 are especially at risk.

"In Illinois, using your phone in anything other than hands-free mode is not only dangerous, but also illegal," Plainfield police wrote in a Wednesday news release. "Pay attention or pay the price."