JASPER— Indiana State Police officers are on high alert as they participate in an annual traffic safety campaign, looking for people speeding or driving while distracted.
Distracted driving and speeding caused over 17,000 crashes across Indiana in 2024, resulting in 230 deaths.
To help save lives, the Indiana State Police is participating in a traffic safety campaign from April 5 through April 19, during the campaign, which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds with grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, motorists should expect to see an increase in roving and high-visibility patrols.
“Distracted driving isn’t just risky, it’s deadly,” said ICJI’s Traffic Safety Director James Bryan. “Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can change a life forever. No text, call, or notification is worth the cost of a crash.”
Distracted driving, which involves cell phone use or any activity that takes attention away from the task of driving, is risky behavior that endangers everyone on the road, from the distracted driver and other drivers to passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Drivers can prioritize safe driving by keeping their hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and focus on driving.
In 2020, Indiana passed a law prohibiting holding or using mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets in class. Since then, law enforcement agencies have worked to educate motorists, issuing 7,684 hands-free citations and 11,203 warnings in 2024 alone. Violating the law is a Class C infraction, which carries a fine of up to $500 and points added to an individual’s driver’s license.
“We all share the road, and all Hoosiers share the responsibility to drive safely,” said Douglas Huntsinger, ICJI’s Executive Director. “Slowing down is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and others.”
Speeding is an aggressive and deadly behavior. It reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. As speed increases, so does the likelihood of a crash and the degree of severity, leading to more severe injuries for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.
Speeding also increases the potential for loss of vehicle control, especially in inclement weather, and reduces the effectiveness of occupant protection equipment.
“Speed limits exist for a reason, and so does Indiana’s hands-free law,” said Sergeant John Davis. “Our priority is keeping our community safe, and we will enforce the law to ensure that happens.”
For more information on distracted driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving, or for more information about Indiana’s hands-free device driving law, visit www.HandsFreeIndiana.com. For more information on speeding, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.
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