
Six-State Enforcement Crackdown to Focus on Distracted Driving
Columbus, OH – Law enforcement officials in six states will once again join forces in an effort dubbed the “6-State Trooper Project,” this time in an effort to focus on distracted driving.
The multi-state law enforcement project includes the State Police in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
This months’s initiative will begin on Monday, April 5 at 12:01 a.m. and will continue through Monday, April 12 at 11:59 p.m.
“By driving distracted, you are putting yourself and the lives of others at risk,” said Colonel Richard Fambro of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “Every time someone takes their eyes off the road, even for just a split second, its consequences can be devastating.”
According to officials, distractions while driving can be visual (such as taking eyes off of the road); manual (taking hands off the wheel); or cognitive (taking the mind off driving).
Texting while driving is an example of all three at the same time, authorities assert.
Other examples of distracted driving authorities will be looking for include, but are not limited to:
• Using a cell phone/smart phone,
• Eating and drinking,
• Talking to passengers,
• Grooming,
• Reading (including maps),
• Using GPS,
• Watching a video,
• Adjusting a radio/CD player/MP3 player.
The same States underwent a 72-hour blitz in March, which had “a primary focus on criminal interdiction through high volume traffic enforcement.”
In addition, the State of New Jersey began its annual month-long distracted driving crackdown on April 1.
Read more about New Jersey’s “UDrive. UText. UPay.” initiative HERE.