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Axios
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Distracted driving adds to Indiana's traffic fatality rate
Distracted driving is a pervasive problem on American roadways, and Indiana is among the states cracking down in recent years. Why it matters: Around 3,300 people died nationwide in crashes attributed to distracted driving in 2022, while another 289,000 were injured, according to the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data. More than 62,000 crashes involved distracted cellphone use in 2022 alone, NHTSA says. These stats likely underestimate the problem because crash data often relies on self-reporting, National Safety Council executive vice president of safety leadership and advocacy Mark Chung tells Axios. Flashback: Indiana passed a law in 2020 prohibiting holding or using a mobile device while driving. Violating Indiana's hands-free driving law is a Class C infraction, which carries a fine of up to $500. Before that, Indiana had a law banning texting and driving, but the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals deemed it unenforceable in 2016 because of difficulty determining if a driver was texting. Reality check: The 2020 legislation has not curbed rising fatal highway crashes. Indiana recorded 897 highways fatalities in 2020, 932 in 2021 and 949 in 2022. By the numbers: According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), police across the state issued 18,887 hands free citations in 2024, a new high and the third consecutive annual increase. 14,582 citations were issued in 2022, and 14,957 were issued in 2023. Marion County leads the state in share of citations. Threat level: The Indiana Department of Transportation says on average, people who text and drive take their attention away from the road for five seconds at a time. At 55 mph, that is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field blindfolded. Between the lines: Despite the panic over recent flying incidents, roadway fatalities dwarf air fatalities every year. State of play: As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Indiana law enforcement agencies spent two weeks in April participating in a traffic enforcement campaign focused on stopping distracted drivers and speeders. State officials say distracted driving and speeding caused more than 17,000 crashes and 230 deaths across Indiana in 2024. What they're saying:"Distracted driving isn't just risky, it's deadly," ICJI traffic safety director James Bryan said in a statement. "Taking your eyes off the road for even just a few seconds can change a life forever. No text, call or notification is worth the cost of a crash." The big picture: U.S. traffic deaths per 100,000 people peaked in the 1930s and total deaths peaked in 1972, then gradually declined thanks to vehicle improvements, better infrastructure and public safety campaigns. But the rate of crash deaths started rising again about a decade ago, spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bottom line: "A lot of us feel like we can multitask, but we know from studies that there's no such thing as multitasking," Chung says. "The human brain does not allow for it."
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Police campaign targeting distracted drivers
ELKHART — Officers with the Elkhart County Traffic Safety Partnership 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 thousand crashes across Indiana in 2024, resulting in 230 deaths, according to information provided by the partnership. To help save lives, the Elkhart County Traffic Safety Partnership is participating in a traffic safety campaign from April 5-19. During the campaign, which is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 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 James Bryan, ICJI's Traffic safety director. 'Taking your eyes off the road for even just 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, the statement reads. Drivers can prioritize safe driving by keeping their hands on the wheel, their eyes on the road, and their focus on driving. In 2020, Indiana passed a law prohibiting holding or using a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. 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 results in points being 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.' For more information on distracted driving, visit or for more information about Indiana's hands-free device driving law, visit For more information on speeding, visit The Elkhart County Traffic Safety Partnership includes the following agencies from Elkhart County: Elkhart City Police Department, Goshen City Police Department, Elkhart County Sheriff's Office, Nappanee Police Department, Bristol Police Department, and Wakarusa Police Department.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
State Police campaign against speeding, distracted driving
The Indiana State Police Department has relaunched its annual traffic safety campaign looking for people who are speeding or driving while distracted. According to a press release from the department, distracted driving and speeding caused more than 17,000 crashes across the state in 2024. Those crashes resulted in 230 deaths. During the ISP campaign, which will run April 5-19, motorists will likely see an increase in roving and high-visibility patrols. The campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration via grants doled out by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. 'Distracted driving isn't just risky, it's deadly,' James Bryan, ICJI's Traffic Safety Director, wrote in the press release sent to the Pharos-Tribune. 'Taking your eyes off the road for even just a few seconds can change a life forever. No text, call, or notification is worth the cost of a crash.' In 2020, the press release pointed out, Indiana passed a law prohibiting motorists from holding or using a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet while driving. Violating the law is a Class C infraction, which carries a fine of up to $500 and results in points being added to the motmotorist's driver's license. In 2024, law enforcement agencies issued 7,684 hands-free citations and 11,203 warnings. 'We all share the road, and all Hoosiers share the responsibility to drive safely,' Douglas Huntsinger, ICJI's Executive Director, wrote in the press release. 'Slowing down is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and others.' Sgt. Steven Glass, a public information officer for the ISP, seemed to agree with that sentiment. ISP troopers 0003 Trooper Steven Glass 'Speed limits exist for a reason, and so does Indiana's hands-free law,' Glass wrote in the press release. 'Our priority is keeping our community safe, and we will be enforcing the law to ensure that happens.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Local agencies want drivers to 'Put the Phone Away or Pay'
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – Local Tri-State law enforcement agencies are encouraging drivers to put their phones down as part of an annual traffic safety campaign. Indiana State Police and the Evansville Police Department will be a couple agencies on high alert in the coming weeks as officials will be looking for people speeding or driving while distracted. The campaign is slated to run from April 5 through April 19. Officials state distracted driving and speeding caused over 17,000 crashes across Indiana, resulting in 230 deaths. 'Distracted driving isn't just risky, it's deadly,' said James Bryan, ICJI's Traffic Safety Director. 'Taking your eyes off the road for even just a few seconds can change a life forever. No text, call or notification is worth the cost of a crash.' Indiana passed a law in 2020 prohibiting holding or using a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet while driving. Officials say 7,684 hands-free citations and 11,203 warnings were given in 2024 alone. Violation is classified as a Class C infraction, which carries a fine of up to $500 and points being added to the 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.' 'Speed limits exist for a reason, and so does Indiana's hands-free law,' said EPD Sgt. Nick Winsett. 'Our priority is keeping our community safe, and we will be enforcing the law to ensure that happens. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
