East Bridgewater Police Increase Distracted Driving Enforcement During April Awareness Campaign

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Michael Jenkins reports that the East Bridgewater Police Department has increased traffic enforcement throughout April with support from grant funding as part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Throughout April, officers will conduct additional traffic patrols each day with a focus on distracted driving and other traffic violations. The enforcement effort is supported by funding from the state’s Municipal Road Safety Grant Program, administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research.

April is observed nationally as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a campaign aimed at reminding drivers to stay focused behind the wheel and reduce behaviors that lead to crashes.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,208 people were killed in crashes involving distracted driving in 2024.

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving. This includes texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio or interacting with in-car screens. Texting while driving remains one of the most common and dangerous distractions.

“Distracted driving continues to be a serious safety issue on our roads,” said Chief Jenkins. “These patrols allow our officers to focus on behaviors that put drivers, passengers and pedestrians at risk. Our goal is to remind everyone that a moment of distraction can have serious consequences.”

The East Bridgewater Police Department encourages drivers to take simple steps to avoid distractions while driving:

• Put your phone away before getting behind the wheel
• Use a “Do Not Disturb While Driving” setting
• Set your GPS and music before starting your trip
• If you need to respond to a message, pull over safely

Officials remind drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their attention on driving.

For more information about distracted driving prevention, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

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