Laurel County, KY - Sheriff John Root is reporting that the Laurel County Sheriff's office will be participating in a traffic enforcement program designed at reducing the number of distracted driving related crashes in Laurel County.
Last year, there were 67 reported traffic crashes that involved distracted drivers.
The goal of this program is to reduce that number.
Deputies who are assigned to this program will work this program above their normal 40 hour work week, and the overtime will be paid utilizing federal grant money provided by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety utilizing funds provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA).
The enforcement period will run from April 1 through April 30, 2015. Deputies will patrol Laurel County Road in unmarked police vehicles, and also conduct traffic safety checkpoints.
Distracted driving violations include drivers who are "texting while driving"
In addition, other violations that deputies will be observing for include DUI, speeding, seatbelt violations, and child restraint violations.
This increased enforcement will not take deputies away from their normal duties of answering calls for service.
Sheriff Root says the goal of his deputies participating in this initiative is to make Laurel County roads safer for everyone.
