4-05-2026 10:07pm

6-State Trooper Project to Focus on Distracted Driving Enforcement

Beth Callahan Editor

Story information courtesy of Ohio State Highway Patrol

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be joining forces with members of the 6-State Trooper Project to focus on distracted driving enforcement.

According to the CDC, distracted driving is any activity that diverts a person's attention away from the primary task of driving, including visual (eyes off road), manual (hands off wheel), and cognitive (mind off road) distractions. Common examples include texting, using a phone, eating, or adjusting navigation, which significantly increase crash risk.

According to an article by Edgar Snyder and Associates, in 2023, distracted driving caused 3,275 traffic deaths and over 324,000 injuries in the U.S.Approximately 8% of all fatal crashes involved distraction. Furthermore, about 1.6 million crashes annually are estimated to involve drivers using cell phones for texting or talking, making it a leading cause of fatalities.

The eight‐day initiative will begin on Monday, April 6 and will continue through Monday, April 13. The campaign will also include the Indiana State Police, Kentucky State Police, Michigan State Police, Pennsylvania State Police and West Virginia State Police.

The 6-State Trooper Project is a multi-state law enforcement partnership aimed at providing combined and coordinated law enforcement and security services in the areas of highway safety, criminal patrol and information sharing.