The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office has launched the statewide distracted driving campaign “Put the Phone Away or Pay”, a high-visibility enforcement effort running NOW through October 25. The campaign reminds drivers about the deadly dangers and serious legal consequences of distracted driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving crashes killed 3,275 people nationwide in 2023, including 611 pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorists. Among drivers ages 15 to 20 involved in fatal crashes, seven percent were reported as distracted—the highest proportion of any age group.
“Distracted driving, especially using a phone while driving, remains one of the deadliest risks on our roads,” said Colonel Mike Hagar, Arkansas Public Safety Secretary and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “The statewide ‘Put the Phone Away or Pay’ campaign focuses on educating drivers and enforcing Arkansas’ distracted driving laws. Fewer distracted drivers means safer roadways. Period.”
The Arkansas State Police urges motorists to drive responsibly, focus on the road, and avoid phone use while driving. Distracted driving is dangerous—and illegal.
For more information on Arkansas traffic safety programs, visit asp.arkansas.gov
or follow the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office on social media for safety tips and enforcement updates.
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