First crackdown campaign for distracted driving begins in Syracuse and Hartford

This campaign reminds us a lot of our Keep It Out of Cars program, which focuses on save driving for teens.  Check out the article below, courtesy of Consumer Reports, or head over to more about Keep It Out of Cars.

"In an effort to continue the fight against distracted driving, the Department of Transportation has announced a new pilot campaign called 'Phone in one hand. Ticket in the other.' Much like the 'Click it or Ticket' and the 'Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest' campaigns, this new program will test whether increased law enforcement and public advertising will help deter drivers from talking, texting or checking e-mail with a handheld cell phone behind the wheel. Starting today in Syracuse, New York, and running through April 17th and in Hartford, Connecticut, from Saturday April 10th through April 16th, police officers will be out in force ticketing drivers who use handheld cell phones.

Researchers will study changes in behavior during these crackdown periods, which will serve as a model for these types of campaigns to be employed in other states around the country. Subsequent advertised enforcement periods will be announced later.

The federal seatbelt and drunk driving campaigns have been proven to deter drivers from engaging in those behaviors. Seatbelt use is at its highest level ever and the number of drunk drivers on the road is at its lowest rate.

Data from the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) shows that almost 6,000 people were killed and more than a half million injured in 2008 as a result of distracted driving.

Currently, seven states, plus the District of Columbia (including New York and Connecticut) prohibit drivers from using a handheld cell phone and 21 states have texting-while-driving bans."

DCH Auto Group News and Events Home