(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Police Department will take part in a nationwide effort next month to curb distracted driving, as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is launching a national high-visibility enforcement effort in April.

 

“Distractions behind the wheel can have devastating consequences. We urge all motorists to focus on the road and avoid any activity that takes their attention away from driving safely,” said Devon McDonald, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

 

Law enforcement officers nationwide will work together to enforce texting and distracted driving laws and remind people to put away distractions while on the road. The effort comes during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

 

“People know using their phone while driving is dangerous and often illegal, but they do it anyway and put themselves and others at risk,” said La Porte Police Chief Dick Buell.

 

Drivers will see increased enforcement efforts from officers stopping and ticketing anyone who is caught texting and driving. Violators of Indiana’s hands-free law could face a Class C infraction with fines of up to $500 and points added to their driver’s license.