April 22, 2021 -- April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the City of Highland Park urges drivers to drive responsibly and avoid common behind-the-wheel distractions. The Police Department recommends these safe and responsible ways to address common distractions:
- When you’re behind the wheel, make sure driving has your full attention.
- Put your cell phone on silent and turn on automatic responses to text messages. While enabled, this feature replies to anyone who texts you that you’ll respond after you’ve arrived at your destination.
- Avoid multitasking while driving – even when you’re stopped at a red light.
- Hands-free doesn’t mean risk-free. Do not read or reply to text messages while driving, whether by typing or using voice-to-text.
- Remain alert for hazards on the road so that you are ready to respond. Don’t rely on technology like automatic emergency braking, blind spot warnings, or adaptive cruise control.
As a reminder, in Illinois, children are required to be in a car seat or booster seat until at least age 8 and all children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat.
The Police Department is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement throughout the state to encourage safe driving and educate drivers about the risks of distracted driving. From Friday, April 23 through Monday, April 26, motorists in Highland Park will see an increase in patrols and traffic stops, along with additional messaging on the dangers of distracted driving.
The Illinois Distracted Driving campaign is administered by IDOT with federal highway safety funds managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.