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Arkansas law enforcement agencies will ramp up enforcement of distracted driving laws during a weeklong campaign beginning Sunday as part of a national push to reduce crashes caused by cell phone use behind the wheel.
The enforcement effort, running April 6-13, coincides with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign.
Officers statewide will focus on stopping and ticketing drivers caught texting or using their phones while driving.
“Distracted driving, mainly cell phone use, remains a major contributor to serious and fatal crashes,” Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Col. Mike Hagar said. “It is dangerous and illegal, and puts everyone on the road at risk.”
Hagar said officers will increase enforcement throughout the campaign period and warned that violators will face fines.
Texting while driving is illegal in 49 states, Washington, D.C., and most U.S. territories. NHTSA reported that 3,275 people were killed and an estimated 324,819 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2023, though the agency said data collection limitations mean the actual figures are likely higher.
NHTSA recommends drivers pull over before reading or sending messages, designate a passenger to handle calls and texts, activate “Do Not Disturb” mode and store phones out of reach during trips.
More information is available from the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136 or at nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.
