Naugatuck Police Participate In Distracted Driving Campaign

NAUGATUCK, CT — Naugatuck police are stepping up efforts to enforce distracted driving laws this month as part of the "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." campaign.

In a Facebook post, police said the campaign will take place Oct. 15-31.

According to Naugatuck police, there were nearly 5,200 crashes attributed to distracted driving in Connecticut in 2022.

Distracted driving crashes are preventable, according to Naugatuck police. Driving should be a person's number one priority behind the wheel; remember, everything else can wait.

Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are 16 or 17 years of age are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time, even with a hands-free accessory, according to police.

Violating Connecticut’s distracted-driving laws can be costly. Drivers who are ticketed are fined $200 for the first offense, $375 for the second offense and $625 for the third and subsequent, according to police.

Naugatuck police urge drivers to put their phone down when they get behind the wheel. If someone needs to text, pull over and park the vehicle in a safe place first, according to police.

More information is available here.