DOT launches first federally funded distracted driving campaigns
Starting on April 8 in Syracuse, NY and April 10 in Hartford, CT, drivers who are caught using a cell phone behind the wheel can expect to get a little more familiar with the local justice system. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has given the official go-ahead on a pilot program aimed at curbing distracted driving, and police in those localities will be pulling over anyone they see texting or using a cell phone without a hands-free device.
They've even come up with a catchy slogan for the crackdown: "Phone in one hand. Ticket in the other." Residents in the greater Syracuse and Hartford areas have likely been seeing a number of ads urging drivers to put down the phone since the first of April. You can check out one example after the jump. Law enforcement will be monitoring driver behavior over the course of the program to determine whether or not a nation-wide campaign will be worth the government's money.
Speaking of dollar bills, the federal government has put up $200,000 for both localaties, matched by $100,000 from each state. If the program goes national, you can bet we'll see quite a bit more cash flow out Washington. Check out the full press release and a video after the jump.
Source: [ Youtube, Autoblog.com ]
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