Arkansas law enforcement to ramp up efforts to combat distracted driving

Distracted driving continues to be one of the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes on our nation’s roadways. The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office (HSO) is working with state and local law enforcement agencies to encourage drivers to put down their phones while driving as part of the statewide “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” high-visibility enforcement effort Apr. 3 - 10.

The effort will involve Arkansas State Troopers, local sheriff’s deputies, and local police officers. The operation will target drivers who are texting and driving as well as violating other distracted driving laws.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], between 2011 and 2020, more than 32,400 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver. In 2020, there were 3,142 deaths linked to driver distraction, or 8% of all motor vehicle crash fatalities. This is an increase of 23 fatalities compared to 2019. Research shows that Millennials and Generation Z are the most distracted drivers, often using their cell phones to talk, text, and scroll through social media while behind the wheel. According to NHTSA research from 2017, young drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers since 2007. In 2020, 7% of drivers 15 to 20 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted.

“Distracted driving is a leading cause of motor vehicle crashes on our nation’s roads, and most of this distraction is attributed to texting while driving,” said Colonel Mike Hagar, Director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “People know texting and driving is dangerous and often illegal, but they do it anyway, and it puts others at risk. Beginning Apr. 3, drivers will see increased law enforcement efforts, as officers will be stopping and ticketing anyone who is caught texting while driving. If you text and drive, you will pay.” In addition to being unsafe, violating Arkansas’ distracted-driving laws can also be costly.

Arkansas law prohibits the use of a hand-held cell phone for texting, typing, emailing or accessing the internet while driving, regardless of the driver’s age. It is also a “primary offense” law, which means a state trooper, police officer or sheriff’s deputy can initiate a traffic stop without observing any other violation. Fines can range from up to $250 for a first offense and up to $500 for any subsequent offense.

Many drivers are guilty of a “double standard” when it comes to distracted driving. In its 2018 Traffic Safety Culture Index, the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation reported that while nearly 96% of drivers believed it was very or extremely stopped is it safe to text. Ask your passenger to be a “designated texter.” Allow the passenger access to your phone for responding to calls or messages. dangerous to read a text or email while driving, four out of ten drivers admitted to doing so within the previous 30 days.

“These drivers give themselves a personal exemption to ignore the law while unfairly putting others at risk,” said Colonel Hagar. “State troopers and other law enforcement officers will increase enforcement of distracted driving laws as part of the ‘U Drive. U Text. U Pay.’ enforcement operation.”

The Arkansas Highway Safety Office and NHTSA urge drivers to put their phones away when behind the wheel. Drivers are encouraged to follow these suggestions to ensure a safe driving experience:

· If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Only after you are off the roadway and

· Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving. Cell phone use is habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. Help break the dangerous habit of distracted driving. Remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay

For more information, either visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/ distracted-driving or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.

Also learn more about Arkansas’ ongoing Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, visit www.TZDArkansas.org/ .

Banquet

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In addition to a fundraising live auction and a silent auction, there was a cocktail hour with entertainment by Brothers & Sons. The meal that followed was catered by Chicollo’s Food Emporium.

The guest speaker, promoting the possibility of the mountain bike trail system that may come to Mena, was Gary Vernon. He is the director of outdoor recreation and trail innovation for Runway Group. Vernon is considered one of the leading experts in developing mountain bike trail systems.

The banquet also honored the winners out of their nominees in each category, who were voted on by the chamber members. The winners:

Citizen of the Year - Rick Chrisman

Rick Chrisman may not have grown up in the Mena/Polk County area, but visiting it often was a part of his family’s life considering his father lived here until graduating high school and enjoyed returning regularly. Because of the time spent here, Rick and his wife, Donna, decided to purchase property in Hatfield in 1980 and officially relocated in 1995, bringing their wood products business with them. Rick has been the co-owner/operator of that business, Revolutionary Designs, since 1986 and co-owner/operator of American Artisans Eatery & Gallery since 2013.

Rick is involved in many community projects and organizations. He is the current Chair of the Mena Advertising & Promotion Commission, founding member and current treasurer of Mena Downtown Partners, past Chair of the Mena Art Gallery Board, and past board member of Rich Mountain Community College. One of his current projects include coordinating a local volunteer group to revitalize the Old Mena High School building on North Mena Street.

Rick has been an instrumental piece in the forming of a bike trail system that Mena hopes to see constructed in the near future. “In all of these projects Rick provides inspired and steady leadership,” stated one nomination. “It’s hard to imagine Mena without such a selfless champion making our economic future brighter and improving the quality of life.”

Non-Profit of the Year - PCDC

The Polk County Developmental Center has been serving individuals with disabilities for over 30 years in Mena. Since 1976, PCDC has added adult and preschool services, physical therapy services, the PCDC Resale Store, which provides work-training skills for their adult clients, a residential facility for developmentally disabled women, an adult work center, Jumpstart Daycare, and the “Just for Kids” Resale store.

In November of 2021, the Adult Wellness program moved into the former Mena Manor building located at 100 9th Street. This new location provides a lot more room and helps provide greater learning and training opportunities.

As of December of 2021, The Polk County Developmental Center serves 47 adults with disabilities and 31 preschoolers. The Polk County Developmental Center has 71 employees.

In their nomination form it was said, “There is no other place in the county that pours such heart into our disabled community.”

Business of the Year - UA Rich Mountain

The University of Arkansas Rich Mountain carries the tradition of being a comprehensive community college providing a broad range of educational programs and learning opportunities in the three-county service area. In 2017, when the merger with the University of Arkansas System was finalized, the college’s name changed to the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain. With over forty years of presence in the service area, UA Rich Mountain has been at the forefront of progress. Its mission to provide educational opportunities for the region continues to guide programming, services, and involvement in its communities.

In 2020, UA Rich Mountain expanded with a brand new, state-of-the-art student union, which includes full food services, and on-campus student housing. UARM has added several athletic programs including men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, and baseball, as well as an indoor practice facility, a training center, baseball and softball fields, and a soccer field. On the Academic side, several academic degrees and technical programs have been added, such as Arkansas Trucking Academy, EMT, phlebotomy, aesthetics, chemistry, and biology just to name a few.

In the Fall of 2023, UA Rich Mountain will be adding two more programs to its list of offerings, Competitive Livestock Judging and Esports.

UA Rich Mountain provides transformative education to all learners. UA Rich Mountain faculty and staff are committed to student success. During the 2014 Higher Learning Commission visit, the visiting team commented that it was evident to them the College “lives the mission.” In the 2004 HLC accreditation report, the College was recognized as “a model rural community college.”

Their nomination stated, “In the last 3 years, the college has transformed this community in terms of diversity with the addition of international students. They have transformed McMillan Park into one of the NJCAA’s top athletic facilities. And with the addition of on-campus student housing, they transformed the once vocational college to provide for a true “authentic” college experience. Because of said housing, they have been able to broaden their recruitment efforts beyond Polk, Scott, and Montgomery counties and bring families from across the country into Polk County to support their students and athletic competitions.”

Another company and an individual were recognized during the evening’s ceremony.

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