West Hartford Police participated in a Distracted Driving High Visibility Enforcement campaign during the month of April.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Police Department have released the results of the Distracted Driving High Visibility Enforcement (DDHVE) “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” campaign that they participated in throughout the month of April.

West Hartford Police Capt. Jeff Rose, who heads the Traffic Division, reported that there were 643 distracted driving infractions issued during this enforcement campaign. According to Rose, the offenses included all use of an electronic device (cell phone, GPS, etc.) while driving, and texting while driving.

Officers involved in the campaign also issued 43 citations for other motor vehicle violations, including seatbelt, driving under suspension, no insurance, operating an unregistered vehicle, and equipment violations, Rose said.

The campaign, which was funded by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, included extra patrols focused on distracted driving behavior, with an emphasis on anti-texting enforcement. Fifty cities and towns throughout the state participated.

In West Hartford, traffic enforcement details targeted all areas of town including major intersections on New Britain Avenue, Farmington Avenue, North and South Main Streets, Park Road, and Albany Avenue, according to the news release. Officers also targeted school zones throughout town.

Mobile patrols as well as “spotter” officers to call out violations to other police officers stationed further down a street were used in the effort.

Rose said that even though the campaign has ended, “West Hartford police officers will continue working hard to make our streets safer for everyone.” West Hartford Police also operate other traffic safety initiatives supported by the Connecticut DOT, such as DWI enforcement and “Click it or Ticket.”