The start of summer generally shows an increase of motorist activity on all roadways throughout the day and night. The increase of traffic flow also means there is an increase for the chance of traffic accidents. If the public and the Benton Police Department work together on June’s initiative “Slow Your Roll” a reduction of traffic accidents and citations can be achieved.
The “Slow Your Roll” initiative will focus on seat belt safety, distracted driving, speeding, intoxicated driving, and traffic laws on the BNPD social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). The public is encouraged to engage in discussions and to ask officers questions on those social media sites. During the initiative, BNPD officers will focus on traffic law enforcement – ensuring all drivers and passengers are wearing seat belts, and that drivers are in compliance with traffic laws.
“We will also be reminding people to lock their vehicle doors and that they should not leave valuables inside,” said Police Chief Kirk Lane. “Officer patrols will increase in neighborhoods affected by an uptick of vehicle breaking and entering and theft reports, as well as areas where we’ve received speeding and other traffic complaints. Together with the public we expect to improve safety and thwart criminal activities.”
- Between Jan. 1 and April 30 of 2017, there have been 480 traffic accidents on Benton roadways and 1,119 traffic citations issued by BNPD officers;
- BNPD officers made 52 DWI arrests between Jan. 1, 2017, and April 30, 2017;
- Distracted driving caused the death of 3,477 people in the U.S. in 2015;
- Distracted driving caused 431,000 injuries in the U.S. in 2015 (each day in the U.S. more than 8 people are killed and 1,161 are injured in crashes involving a distracted driver);
- 9,557 people died in vehicle crashes involving speeding (2015);
- 9,306 people died in vehicle crashes involving an intoxicated driving (2015);
Also in 2015, there were 13,941 people age 5 and older whose lives were saved by wearing a seat belt. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in Arkansas only 75.1 percent of people used a seat belt. That is the third lowest state in the U.S. (only behind New Hampshire and South Dakota). That is also only a slight increase from the 74.4 percent seat belt use in Arkansas in 2009.
The goal of the “Slow Your Roll” initiative is not to write more citations, but an effort to reduce traffic accidents.
To report suspicious driving and/or accidents, call the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on ITunes and Google Play.
Follow BNPD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Benton-Police-Department/221829174560849