Orland Park Police Recognize Distracted Driving Awareness Month

ORLAND PARK, IL — The Village of Orland Park has recognized the month of April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The national recognition is a reminder to be safe behind the wheel.

According to a news release from the village, the Orland Park Police Department is urging drivers to drop their phones and focus on the road with a not-so-subtle reminder: “Phone in One Hand. Ticket in the Other.”

“It has become all too common to see people driving down the road while looking at their phones,” said Orland Park Police Chief Joe Mitchell. “People know texting and driving is both dangerous and illegal, but they do it anyway, putting themselves and others at risk. During April, you will see increased law enforcement efforts as officers stop and ticket anyone who violates distracted driving and other Illinois motor vehicle laws.”

To support the effort the police department has partnered with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies around Illinois this month.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a total of 26,004 people died in U.S. crashes involving a distracted driver between 2012 and 2019, the release states.

All April, distracted driving saturation patrols were/will be conducted throughout the day and night. Additionally, officers were directed to focus on identifying and citing distracted drivers during their patrol duties.

The distracted driving campaign is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with federal traffic safety funds, according to the release.

See more on the village's website, here.

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