Education, Enforcement Campaign to take place April 23-27
EFFINGHAM, IL-(Effingham Radio)- Each day, 10 people are killed in distracted driving crashes- contributing to the 37,000 people killed in crashes on U.S. roadways during 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
To help bring attention to the dangers associated with driving distracted, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office announced today it will again participate in Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week (DDAW) and conduct an enforcement campaign of Illinois’ distracted driving laws.
“No distraction- whether texting or talking on the phone – is ever worth the loss of life on the roadway,” said Effingham County Sheriff Dave Mahon.
“These senseless deaths can easily be prevented if drivers simply choose to focus on the core task of driving when behind the wheel. We aim to do our part to help keep Effingham County’s roads safer.”
The second annual Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week is a coordinated effort between the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP), AAA, The Illinois State Police, The Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association (IHSCDEA) and nearly 300 local law enforcement throughout Illinois to educate motorists about the dangers of driving while distracted and enforcing the laws on Illinois’ roadways.
Last year’s DDAW efforts resulted in over 18,000 warnings and citations for distracted driving offenses.
Violating Illinois’ distracted driving laws can be costly.
Know before you go.
In Illinois:
- Law prohibits all drivers from texting and driving {FINE}
- Law prohibits all drivers from using a hand-held phone while driving {FINE}
- Law prohibits all teen drivers from using a cell phone while driving {FINE}
For more information on Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week visit www.iddaw.org.
These partnerships have been formed to help further a traffic safety culture in Illinois and to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries resulting from distracted driving.
Please help the ILACP, AAA, and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office to keep Illinois’ roadways safe and Illinois strong.