Mayor Joseph P. Ganim
Bridgeport, CT
Chief of Police
Armando J. Perez
For Immediate Release
April 30, 2018
For More Information:
Dalmarys Matos (203)576-7201
dalmarys.matos@bridgeportct.gov
Press Release
Law Enforcement Apprehends Distracted Drivers with
U Drive. U Text. U Pay. Enforcement Campaign
BRIDGEPORT POLICE STOP DISTRACTED DRIVERS
BRIDGEPORT, CT –From April 2 to April 30, 2018, Bridgeport Police were out in force looking for distracted drivers as part of the U Drive. U Text. U Pay. campaign, a high-visibility effort to enforce distracted-driving laws. This included a joint operation with Fairfield Police Department Traffic Division.
“It happens all the time, people know that texting and driving is illegal and dangerous, and they shouldn’t be doing it—but we see it happen every day,” said Chief AJ Perez. “This month we stepped-up enforcement efforts on texting and driving. Drivers should be advised that they are putting themselves and others at risk.”
Too many drivers are ignoring their responsibilities behind the wheel, and distracted driving is a growing and deadly threat on our roadways. Bridgeport teamed up with the Connecticut Department of Transportation during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) National Distracted Driving Awareness month to make sure all motorists keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.
Violating Connecticut’s distracted driving laws can be costly. Drivers who are ticketed for this violation can be fined $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense and $500 for third and subsequent offenses.
According to the NHTSA, 3,450 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2016. This is a 2-percent decrease in fatalities as compared to the previous year.
An analysis by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety of 2009-2012 data found that while more than 80 percent of drivers believed it was completely unacceptable for a motorist to text behind the wheel, more than a third of those same drivers admitted to reading text messages while operating a passenger motor vehicle themselves.
“Texting and driving is something we enforce all the time for everyone’s safety. Put your phone away when you get behind the wheel. One text or call can wreck it all,” said Captain Evans.
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