Crime & Safety
Albany Crackdown on Drivers Who Text, Use Hand-Held Phones
On Friday, Albany police will focus on enforcing the laws against texting and using hand-held phones while driving, the police department announced. It is part of a year-long program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries from distracted driving.
Albany police said they will conduct stepped-up enforcement on Friday of laws banning texting and using hand-held phones while driving.
"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," the department said in a news release.
"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," the department said in a news release.
"With the increase in the prevalence of smartphones and other hand-held devices, more and more drivers engage in distracted driving," the release said. "In 2011 alone, 3,331 people were killed in accidents involving inattentive drivers."
The enforcement effort is part of a year-long program targeting distracted driving that also includes public education, the department said. It is supported by a $28,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Those who'd like more information may contact Albany Police Sgt. Chris Willis at 510-525-7300 or cwillis@albanyca.org.
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