The Rock Island Police Department will be conducting special traffic enforcement details throughout the week at various locations.  Chief VenHuizen would like to encourage all drivers to refrain from the use of mobile communication device while driving.

Each day, 10 people are killed in distracted driving crashes - contributing to the 37,000 people killed in crashes on U.S. roadways during 2016, according tot he National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  To help bring attention to the dangers associated with driving distracted, the Rock Island Police Department, announced today it will participate in Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week (DDAW) and conduct an enforcement campaign of Illinois' distracted driving laws.  "No distraction-whether testing or talking on the phone - is ever worth the loss of life on the roadway," said Chief VenHuizen.  "These senseless deaths can easily be prevented if drivers simply choose to focus on the core task of driving when behind the wheel.  We aim to do our part to help keep Rock Island roads safer."

The second annual Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week is a coordinated effort between the Illinois Association of Chief of Police (ILACP), AAA, The Illinois State Police, The Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois High School High School and College Driver Education Association (IHSCDEA) and nearly 300 local law enforcements throughout Illinois to educate motorists about the dangers of driving while distracted and enforcing the laws on Illinois' roadways.  Last year's DDAW efforts resulted in over 18,000 warning and citations for distracted driving offenses. 

Contrary to what some drivers may thing, hands-free, handheld and in-vehicle technologies are no distraction-free, even if a driver's eyes are on the road and their hands are on the wheel.  The latest AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research found that:

• Drivers who use in-vehicle technologies, like voice-based and touch screen features, can be distracted for more than 40 seconds when completing tasks like programming navigation or sending a text message.
• Removing eyes from the road for just two seconds doubles the risk for a crash.

For more information on Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week visit www.iddaw.org.  These partnerships have been formed to help further a traffic safety culture in Illinois and to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries resulting from distracted driving.  Please help the ILACP, AAA, and the City of Rock Island to keep Illinois' roadways safe and Illinois strong.