The Fairfield Police Department and the CTDOT Team Up to Kick off National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Put the Phone Away or Pay – Connecticut Enforces Statewide Campaign
FAIRFIELD, CT – April 1, 2024 – The Fairfield Police Department is partnering with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) as part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. From April 1 – April 30, law enforcement will be looking for drivers who choose to ignore Connecticut’s hand-held mobile electronics laws. Put the Phone Away or Pay is a national high-visibility enforcement campaign for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April.
Nationally in 2021, there were 3,522 people killed and an estimated 362,415 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. In Connecticut in 2021, there were over 5,600 crashes attributed to distracted driving that resulted in nine fatalities and more than 850 injuries.
"As a community, we cannot ignore the dangers of texting and driving. It's not just illegal; it's a matter of life and death," said Fairfield Police Chief Robert Kalamaras. “Beginning April 1, our officers will be vigilant in enforcing distracted driving laws. We urge all motorists to prioritize safety and refrain from using handheld mobile devices while driving."
Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are 16 or 17 years of age are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time, even with a hands-free accessory. Violating Connecticut’s distracted driving laws can be costly. Drivers who are ticketed are fined $200 for the first offense, $375 for the second offense, and $625 for the third and subsequent offenses.
While April is designated as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, our commitment to promoting safe driving practices extends throughout the year. We remain dedicated to keeping our roads safe and urge all drivers to make responsible choices behind the wheel.
The public is reminded of the following safety tips:
- When you get behind the wheel, be an example to your family and friends by putting your phone away. Texting and driving is not safe behavior.
- If you struggle to ignore your phone notifications, activate the “Do Not Disturb” feature or put your silenced device in your vehicle’s trunk, glove box, or back seat until you arrive safely at your destination.
- If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
- Give control of your phone to your passenger. Let them respond to calls or messages.
- Never engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
- Even when hands-free, do not stream or watch movies or videos.
- If you see someone texting while driving, speak up. Tell them to stop what they are doing because it is dangerous. If someone catches you texting while driving and tells you to put your phone away, put it down.
- Remember, when you get behind the wheel, Put the Phone Away or Pay
For more information, visit distraction.gov.
FAIRFIELD POLICE MEDIA CONTACT:
Sergeant Michael Stahl
203.254.4844
mstahl@fairfieldct.org
STATE OF CT MEDIA CONTACT:
Samaia Hernandez
860.597.2479
Samaia.Hernandez@ct.gov