Delaware News


Office of Highway Safety Sponsors Distracted Driving Enforcement with Delaware State Police Using Non-traditional Vehicles

News | Office of Highway Safety | Date Posted: Friday, April 13, 2018



State Fleet vans and other vehicles deployed to spot distracted drivers during April enforcement period.

Dover, DE. April 13, 2018 – With funding from the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS), the Delaware State Police (DSP) are using unconventional vehicles to spot drivers who break our distracted driving laws.

Two enforcement efforts were implemented on March 29 and April 12, 2018. The first netted 13 violations for distracted driving, 6 seat belt violations, and 5 other violations for a total of 24 tickets issued. The second enforcement resulted in 17 distracted driving violations, 5 seatbelt violations, and 5 other violations, including one person arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

“We want Delaware motorists to understand the risks of cell phone and other mobile device usage while driving. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds could result in a crash that could result in serious injury or death. We are serious about enforcement of our traffic laws for everyone’s safety,” said Mitch Topal, OHS Marketing Specialist and Public Information Officer.

“The Delaware State Police would like to inform motorists that April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Driving needs your full attention and one quick look at a cell phone or a glance at the radio can divert your attention away from the roadway and lead to a crash. Public Safety on our roads is a top priority, as such we have partnered with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety to enhance enforcement targeting those who are driving distracted,” said Sergeant Richard Bratz, Director of the Public Information Office of the Delaware State Police.

According to NHTSA, 3,450 people were killed across the country in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2016. Nationally and in Delaware, distracted driving fatalities have been trending upward since 2012. Texting while driving has become an especially problematic trend among millennials. Young drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers since 2007.

The Delaware OHS recognizes that this is becoming a serious problem and is taking steps to reverse this trend in our state. Along with unconventional enforcement strategies, we are employing a concentrated paid media campaign with the theme, “Don’t be the You You Hate.”

For more information, please visit ohs.delaware.gov and www.arrivealivede.com/Drive-Sober

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Office of Highway Safety Sponsors Distracted Driving Enforcement with Delaware State Police Using Non-traditional Vehicles

News | Office of Highway Safety | Date Posted: Friday, April 13, 2018



State Fleet vans and other vehicles deployed to spot distracted drivers during April enforcement period.

Dover, DE. April 13, 2018 – With funding from the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS), the Delaware State Police (DSP) are using unconventional vehicles to spot drivers who break our distracted driving laws.

Two enforcement efforts were implemented on March 29 and April 12, 2018. The first netted 13 violations for distracted driving, 6 seat belt violations, and 5 other violations for a total of 24 tickets issued. The second enforcement resulted in 17 distracted driving violations, 5 seatbelt violations, and 5 other violations, including one person arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

“We want Delaware motorists to understand the risks of cell phone and other mobile device usage while driving. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds could result in a crash that could result in serious injury or death. We are serious about enforcement of our traffic laws for everyone’s safety,” said Mitch Topal, OHS Marketing Specialist and Public Information Officer.

“The Delaware State Police would like to inform motorists that April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Driving needs your full attention and one quick look at a cell phone or a glance at the radio can divert your attention away from the roadway and lead to a crash. Public Safety on our roads is a top priority, as such we have partnered with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety to enhance enforcement targeting those who are driving distracted,” said Sergeant Richard Bratz, Director of the Public Information Office of the Delaware State Police.

According to NHTSA, 3,450 people were killed across the country in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2016. Nationally and in Delaware, distracted driving fatalities have been trending upward since 2012. Texting while driving has become an especially problematic trend among millennials. Young drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers since 2007.

The Delaware OHS recognizes that this is becoming a serious problem and is taking steps to reverse this trend in our state. Along with unconventional enforcement strategies, we are employing a concentrated paid media campaign with the theme, “Don’t be the You You Hate.”

For more information, please visit ohs.delaware.gov and www.arrivealivede.com/Drive-Sober

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.