Manhattan PD Participating In Drop It And Drive Campaign

MANHATTAN, IL — April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Manhattan Police Department is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police to remind motorists to "Drop it and Drive," according to a statement by Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold.

During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Manhattan police officers will be working to increase awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, including texting and talking on a cell phone, and encourage all motorists to give driving their full attention.

"Texting while driving puts everyone on the road at risk by distracting a driver visually, manually and cognitively," Wold said.

Motorists in Manhattan can expect to see increased patrols and enforcement zones the entire month of April, Wold said. The Manhattan Police Department will be ticketing drivers who text or use their cell phones while driving, he said.

The distracted driving campaign is administered by IDOT with federal traffic safety funds, which means safer roads for the motoring public without added cost to the Village of Manhattan, Wold said.