The Mattoon Police Department is teaming up with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois State Police, and more than 200 other law enforcement agencies for Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Throughout the month of April, motorists can expect increased patrols targeting drivers sending, reading, or receiving text messages while behind the wheel, according to law enforcement officials.
According to the Mattoon Police Department, approximately 32,000 lives were lost in crashes involving distracted drivers between 2012 and 2021.
"Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes on our roads today... We are doing this to save lives," said Mattoon police captain Brandon Saunders.
It is illegal in Illinois to use your phone behind the wheel in anything other than hands-free mode.