The Westport Police Department is participating in the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s high visibility distracted driving enforcement campaign.  In partnership with State and local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the campaign will increase efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws.  This campaign will run from October 15th to October 31st, 2022.

Distracted driving is an activity that diverts attention from driving and even a momentary distraction can lead to disastrous results.  In 2020, according to the NHTSA, distracted driving was a factor in over 8% of fatal car crashes.  Further, the NHTSA reported that roughly 20% of injuries occurring in motor vehicle accidents involved distracted driving.

Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile device while operating a motor vehicle.  Drivers who are currently 16 or 17 years old are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time, even hands free.  

Violating Connecticut’s distracted-driving laws can also be very costly.  Drivers who are ticketed are fined $200.00 for the first offense, $375.00 for the second offense, and $625.00 for the third and subsequent offenses.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation along with the Westport Police urges you to put your phone down when you get behind the wheel.  Should you need to use your phone prior to reaching your destination, please pull over to a safe location first.