Officers with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will be on high alert for people speeding or driving distracted as a part of an annual traffic safety campaign running April 5-19, according to a news release from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
According to the news release, distracted driving and speeding caused over 17,000 crashes across Indiana in 2024, resulting in an estimated 230 deaths.
In an effort to lower this number, motorists should expect to see an increase in roving — patrol in cars and on foot —as well as high-visibility patrols. High-visibility patrols are a traffic safety method in which law enforcement use their visibility to discourage unlawful or dangerous driving behavior.
Distracted driving includes cellphone use or any activity that takes attention away from driving that could endanger the driver or others on the road.
Indiana passed the hands-free law in July 2020. The law prohibits drivers from holding mobile devices while operating a vehicle. Since then, law enforcement has issued over 7,684 hands-free citations and 11,204 warnings in 2024. Violators could face a fine up to $500 and points being added to their driver’s license, which could eventually result in a suspended license.
Police will be on the lookout for speeding as well. Driving over the speed limit reduces the driver’s ability to steer safely around other vehicles, hazardous objects and other obstacles. Speeding fines in Monroe County can range from $150 to $180.
The campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with grants administered by the ICJI.
