Tiverton Police Department: U Drive. U Text. U Pay. Campaign

Press release from the Tiverton Police Department:

April 3, 2023

2023 U DRIVE. U TEXT. U PAY. CAMPAIGN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/03/2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/03/2023

NHTSA and Law Enforcement Remind Drivers:
U Drive. U Text. U Pay.

TIVERTON, RI — The Tiverton Police Department is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay. high-visibility enforcement effort. From April 3-10, 2023, law enforcement officers will work together to enforce texting and distracted-driving laws.

According to NHTSA, 42,915 people died on our roadways in 2021. Included in those numbers were 3,142 individuals that died in a distraction-affected crash which accounted for 8% of all motor vehicle crash fatalities.

Research shows that younger drivers are the most distracted drivers, often using their cell phones to talk, text, and scroll through social media while behind the wheel. According to NHTSA research from, young drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers since 2007. In 2021, 7% of drivers 15 to 20 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted.

Distracted driving is a leading cause of vehicle crashes on our nation’s roads, and most of this distraction is attributed to texting while driving. People know texting and driving is dangerous and often illegal, but they do it anyway, and it puts others at risk. Beginning April 3, drivers will see increased law enforcement efforts, as officers will be stopping and ticketing anyone who is caught texting and driving. If you text and drive, you will pay.

Drive Safe Every Trip

The Tiverton Police Department and NHTSA urge drivers to put their phones away when behind the wheel. If you need to text, pull over and do not drive while doing so. If you are the driver, follow these steps for a safe driving experience:

Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. Break the cycle. Remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay.
For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.

This press release was produced by the Tiverton Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.