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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Naperville Police participated in first-ever Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week

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Above / During the Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week and enforcement campaign, April 24-28, Naperville Police issued 200 citations. Pay attention when behind the steering wheel. Turn off cell phones until you stop.

Officers also issued 159 warnings during April 24-28 enforcement campaign

UPDATE, May 9, 2017 / During the April 24-28, 2017, Distracted Driving enforcement campaign, Naperville Police issued 200 citations, 41 of which were for distracted driving. Additionally, officers issued 159 warnings to motorists, 21 of which were for distracted driving.

“The dangers of distracted driving are real, and we hope to make that message clear to motorists through education and enforcement,” said Sgt. Derek Zook. “When you’re driving, just drive.”


Original Post, April 21, 2017 /Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week was coordinated by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in partnership with AAA and supported by the Illinois State Police, SafetyServe.com, the National Safety Council, the Illinois Insurance Association and almost 300 law enforcement/fire agencies.

The Naperville Police Department is partnering with agencies from throughout Illinois to bring attention to the dangers and consequences associated with driving distracted during the first-ever Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week, April 24-28.

This campaign will include a high level of enforcement of applicable State distracted driving laws. The City-wide enforcement efforts of Naperville Police Officers will be supplemented by the educational efforts of Naperville Police Department’s Community Radio Watch (CRW) volunteers. If these volunteers observe a driver using a handheld device while driving, a warning letter will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle via U.S. Mail.

“Every officer will be making distracted driving enforcement a focus,” said Sergeant Derek Zook. “The dangers of distracted driving are real, and our aim is to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries resulting from this dangerous behavior behind the wheel.”

A few facts according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

  • 3,477 people were killed and an estimated 391,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015. That is a 9-percent increase in fatalities as compared to the previous year.
  •  10 percent of fatal crashes, 15 percent of injury crashes, and 14 percent of all police reported motor vehicle crashes in 2015 were reported as distraction affected crashes.
  •  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.

Right or risky according to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: 

  • In analyzing 2009-2012 data, that even while more than 8 in 10 drivers believed it completely unacceptable for a motorist to text or e-mail behind the wheel, more than a third of those same respondents admitted to reading text messages while driving.
  • Just as disturbing, even as fatalities go up, fewer drivers seem concerned about texting while driving. According to Foundation’s 2015 Traffic Safety Culture Index, significantly fewer motorists (77%) believed texting while driving is a problem, down from 96 percent in 2013, a 19-point drop in just two years.
  • Texting while driving is more than just personally risky. When you text and drive, you become a danger to everyone around you.

Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week was coordinated by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in partnership with AAA and supported by the Illinois State Police, SafetyServe.com, the National Safety Council, the Illinois Insurance Association and almost 300 law enforcement/fire agencies, including the Naperville Police Department.

These partnerships have been formed to help further a traffic safety culture in Illinois and to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries resulting from distracted driving.

News and update submitted by Commander Louis Cammiso, Public Information Officer, for the Naperville Police Department.

UPDATE / Feedback on FB regarding Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week 

Thank you so much. I lost a friend who was run over and killed while bicycling, by a driver distracted by downloading a ringtone on her phone. —Shawn D. Lapetino

They need to start taking people’s licenses away, just remove them from the road. No one puts their phone down anymore and they get belligerent and angry if anyone gets upset with them. — Ed Teune


Editor’s Notes / The three-minute “Faces” videos feature individuals from across the nation whose lives have been forever changed because of texting or cell phone use behind the wheel. Texting and driving is seriously dangerous. Turn off electronic devices before you drive so you won’t be tempted to answer calls on the road. Watch the videos at www.distraction.gov/faces.

In addition Julie Smith’s Focus on Safety column in Nov. 2015 addressed texting and other driving distractions.

Here are some tips for managing the most common driver distractions.

1. Don’t be afraid to just turn off your phone. Replying to a text message can wait. Let a call go into voice mail instead of answering it. Remember Illinois law prohibits (On January 1, 2014, the new law in Illinois went into effect.) the use of hand-held cellphones, texting or using other electronic communications while operating a motor vehicle. Even using hands-free technology is considered a distraction and can be dangerous. It is best practice to pull over into a safe area if you need to make a call.

2. Let your passengers do some of the work. If you’re the driver your job is to drive the car! Have your passenger run the radio, program the GPS, return the text message or insert the DVD. Don’t multi-task when driving.

3. Plan before you leave to focus on driving. Refrain from eating, drinking, reading, grooming, smoking, and other activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road.

4. Mind the kids. Plan ahead to predict anything that they might need and separate (if possible) to avoid any behavior conflicts.

5. Secure the pets. Make sure your furry friend is properly restrained.

Did you know? According to Illinois State Statute, “a person who violates this Section shall be fined a maximum of $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense, and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense.”

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City of Napervillehttp://www.naperville.il.us.
About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving City consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The City is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The City’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.

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