Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials joined the City of West Bend, West Bend Police Department, West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce, West Bend School District, business leaders and residents to kick off National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The event took place in West Bend on Wednesday, April 1 and showcased how West Bend is embracing WisDOT’s anti-distracted driving efforts by elevating the Buckle Up Phone Down message with an educational campaign. 

“This is a critical safety issue, not only in our state but across our country,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said in a press release. “Stopping distracted driving crashes is central to our safety mission of reaching zero preventable traffic deaths in Wisconsin.”

Residents are invited to take the pledge, which challenges drivers (and passengers) to put safety first by taking the two most important actions to prevent or survive a crash. It includes using your seat belt on every trip and putting your phone down while driving.