Don't Text and Drive--it's just not worth it

On Friday, February 14, 2014, officers from the Albany Police Department will focus their enforcement efforts on drivers using hand-held phones and texting.  Distracted driving is the cause of thousands of crashes every day and talking or texting while driving is never worth a collision, injury or death.

With the increase in the prevalence of smartphones and other hand-held devices, more and more drivers engage in distracted driving. In 2011 alone, 3,331 people were killed in accidents involving inattentive drivers.

The Albany Police Department is funding this enforcement effort through a $49,160 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways through special enforcement and public awareness efforts.  Funding for this program is through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Albany Police Department is committed to helping keep the streets safe both through enforcement and education. Simple steps can help prevent you from reaching for your phone:

·         turn off, or silence, your phone

·         ask a passenger to text or call for you

·         pull over & park safely if you absolutely must make a call or text

For additional information, please contact Sgt Chris Willis, 510-525-7300, cwillis@albanyca.org