Press Release – April 4, 2023

Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. At any given moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010. Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on America’s roadways.

In 2018, there were 2,841 people killed and an estimated 400,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. Distracted driving is an especially problematic trend among younger drivers. In fact, 8% of drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of the fatal crashes.

Police Commissioner Ronald J. Walsh Jr. would like to announce that today thru Monday April 10, 2023, the Long Beach Police Department will be participating in a nationwide traffic enforcement campaign, “U Drive. U Text. U Pay”. This high visibility traffic enforcement campaign is promoted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and funded by the Governors Traffic Safety Committee. This program is intended to remind motorists, particularly younger motorists, of the danger of distracted driving.

The Long Beach Police Department will deploy high visibility patrols to locations throughout the city in an effort to curtail distracted driving, particularly driving while texting. If we see you texting while driving, you will get a ticket. Help the Long Beach Police Department combat this deadly traffic safety epidemic, don’t drive while distracted.

To learn more about the dangers of distracted driving, the consequences and how you can help, go to Distraction.gov.