Law enforcement agencies are participating in a one-day campaign to combat texting and other forms of distracted driving.
Today (Thursday, April 7), motorists can expect to see increased roving and high-visibility patrols by deputies on high alert for hands-free violations.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving has become a leading cause of vehicle crashes. With traffic fatalities on the rise in Indiana and April being Distracted Driving Awareness Month, state and local officials are urging motorists to put down the phone and drive distraction-free to prevent crashes and save lives.
It is against the law to hold a mobile device while driving in the State of Indiana. The hands-free device driving law was passed in 2020. More than 6,000 hands-free citations and almost twice as many warnings were issued last year alone. Violators of the hands-free law could face a Class C misdemeanor charge with fines up to $500 and points added to a Driver’s License.
The “Connect to Disconnect” campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
