NDHP2(CSi)  Law enforcement agencies across the state worked a total of 336 overtime hours for distracted driving prevention during the month of September.  A total of 318 citations were attributed to the added patrols. Of the total, 149 were citations for distracted driving, 46 for speeding, 17 for failure to wear seat belts, 14 for suspended or revoked license and two felony arrests. 

Targeted enforcement for distracted drivers falls under the national enforcement campaign: U Text. U Drive. U Pay. Violating North Dakota’s texting law, which has been in effect for nearly four years, will cost $100.

With increasing smartphone use, driver distraction continues to trend upward. Earlier this year, AT&T conducted a nationwide survey that found 61 percent of drivers engage in texting, one-third email while driving, and more than one-quarter surf the web or use social media. All of those activities are illegal while behind the wheel in a traffic lane in North Dakota.

“Surveys, including the annual North Dakota Statewide Traffic Safety Survey, show that texting while driving is becoming an increasing problem in the state putting other road users in more frequent danger,” said Karin Mongeon, North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) Safety Division Director. “Through education and enforcement efforts, it is our goal to save lives by deterring motorists from texting while driving.”

Funding for additional traffic safety enforcement is provided by federal grant money distributed through the NDDOT. High-visibility enforcement for traffic safety is one element of a collaborative effort to eliminate motor vehicle deaths in North Dakota.

Learn more about traffic safety initiatives at dot.nd.gov, ndcodefortheroad.org or join the conversation on the Code for the Road Facebook or Twitter page. Memorials to North Dakota crash fatalities can be seen at ndcodefortheroad.org/memorial.