By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Law enforcement agencies in Decatur and throughout Adams County have announced that they will be participating in a traffic safety campaign targeting distracted driving.
The campaign will begin on Saturday, April 5, and continue through Saturday, April 19.
“Distracted driving, which involves cellphone use or any activity that takes attention away from the task of driving, is risky behavior that endangers everyone on the road, from the distracted driver and other drivers to passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists,” Decatur police said in making the announcement.
“Drivers can prioritize safe driving by keeping their hands on the wheel, their eyes on the road, and their focus on driving.”
In 2020, The Indiana General Assembly approved a law prohibiting holding or using a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet while driving.
“Since then, law enforcement agencies have worked to educate motorists, issuing 7,684 hands-free citations and 11,203 warnings in 2024 alone,” the Decatur PD statement noted.
Violating the law is a Class C infraction, which carries a fine of up to $500 and results in points being added to an individual’s driver’s license.
ACTIVITY REPORT: The Decatur department also announced that it responded to 768 calls in February, 37 fewer calls than received in January.
This number includes a mix of emergency and non-emergency responses including, but not limited to, traffic stops, traffic-related criminal offenses, vehicle accidents, and a variety of other traffic related concerns, the department said.
Also included are property crimes, crimes against a person(s), and long-term investigations along with non-criminal issues such as, VIN (vehicle identification number) checks, civil disputes, animal complaints, vehicle unlocks, and neighbor complaints.
For the first two months of 2025, the department has responded to a total of 1,573 calls for service, an average of 787 calls per month.
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