City Of Fargo: April Is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Fargo ND

13 April, 2022

4:04 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Fargo: April 7, 2022 April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Fargo Police Department will join law enforcement agencies nationwide from April 7 through April 11, 2022 to remind drivers about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving. The Fargo Police Department will have extra patrols working to enforce distracted driving violations now through April 30. This annual campaign is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." high-visibility enforcement effort. These expanded efforts to prevent distracted driving will be conducted in a fair and equitable way. "Distracted driving is an increasingly dangerous habit that is putting everyone at risk" said Fargo Police Lieutenant James Kringlie. "Distraction is more than just taking your eyes off the road; distracted driving also includes taking your hands off the wheel or taking your mind off driving. Distracted driving takes on many forms but texting is one of the most common across the nation." According to Vison Zero, districted drivers are 23 times more at risk of a crash or near-crash and six times more likely to crash than a drunk driver. In The City of Fargo, it is prohibited to use a wireless device while driving. Distracted driving carries a $200 fine. Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using any electronic communications devices including cell phones, a violation carries a $20 fine and up to four points on a recipient's driving record. The Fargo Police Department reiterates the slogan of this campaign - Remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay. Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. No text or post is worth ruining someone's day — or taking a life. More information can be found at www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving. This press release was produced by the City of Fargo. The views expressed here are the author's own.