Beginning
today, Amherst police will be on the lookout for people texting or sending
emails while driving.
“The campaign is
designed to raise awareness of the importance of attentive and engaged driving
and will focus on the dangers distracted driving poses to everyone on the road,
including bicyclists and pedestrians.” The campaign will run through April 28.
They’ll be participating
in a statewide campaign to reduce the number of crashes, fatalities and
injuries caused by distracted driving. The effort is led by the Highway Safety
Division of the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and is
intended to address “a historic rise in fatal crashes fueled by driver
distraction,” according to a press release.
State law prohibits
adult drivers from writing, sending or reading electronic messages, interacting
with apps or browsing the internet while driving, even if stopped at a light.
Teen drivers under 18 are prohibited entirely from using mobile phones and
other electronic devices while driving.
“Our goal is keeping all
road users in our community safe,” said Police Chief Scott P. Livingstone. “If
you text, dial or read a message on your phone while driving, you are
endangering the lives of those around you, and you will be stopped.”
