WESTPORT–If you find it hard to resist glancing at your phone or texting a friend while driving – try harder.

The Westport police, like others around the nation, are out in force for Distracted Drive Awareness Month, which is April. They’re looking for motorists who take their eyes off the road to read messages, take calls or give in to other distractions that result in more than 3,000 deaths a year across the country.

“Distracted driving continues to impact the lives of far too many people,” said Lauren Fabrizi, spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “Any activity that takes your eyes off the road is a potential distraction and increases your risk of a crash. As the weather warms up, it’s especially critical for drivers to stay alert with more pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycle riders sharing the road.” 

Last April, Westport police stopped 871 motorists suspected of distracted driving. Of those, 34 were charged with misdemeanors and 328 with infractions. Police issued 215 written warnings, and warned 294 others verbally.

The best way to help them keep that number lower is to drive responsibly – not only in April, but year-round.

In 2024, distracted driving killed 3,208 people and injured 315,167 according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). The previous year, the numbers were higher: 3,275 killed and 324,819 injured.

The NHTSA reports that cellphone use is the most prevalent form of distraction among drivers. When you’re driving 55 mph, taking your eyes off the road for five seconds to read a text is the same as driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

In Connecticut, from 2021 to 2025, more than 26,000 crashes involved a distracted driver, according to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository. More than 7,800 of the crashes resulted in injuries – 50 were fatal. 

“Police departments across Connecticut will be actively enforcing distracted driving laws throughout April,” said Watertown Police Chief Josh Bernegger, Chairman of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Traffic Safety Committee. “Reducing distracted driving is a shared responsibility and we urge drivers to put their phones down and stay focused so everyone can travel safely.”

AAA research shows that, while nearly all drivers surveyed in a recent study are aware of the dangers of texting, emailing, reading and scrolling social media on a cellphone while driving, many respondents did those things anyway, Fabrizi said. Respondents reported engaging in the following activities during the previous 30 days: 

• 37% – reading a text or email
• 36% – holding and talking on a cellphone
• 28% – typing or sending a text or email
• 11% – scrolling social media 

“Driving requires your full attention every second you’re on the road,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “Even a brief distraction, such as checking a notification or sending a quick text, can lead to devastating consequences. This campaign is a reminder that distracted driving is dangerous, illegal, and entirely preventable.”