Wheaton Police Targeting Distracted Driving through March 26
As part of a Wheaton Police Department traffic safety campaign, officers will be increasing their enforcement efforts now through March 26 to reduce distracted driving violations on Wheaton roadways.
According to statistics collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving continues to take U.S. roadways by storm, endangering not only the distracted drivers, but their passengers, pedestrians, and others on the road, including bicyclists.
The Wheaton Police Department urges drivers to put their phones away when behind the wheel. If you need to text, pull over and do not drive while doing so. If you are the driver, follow these steps for 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. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
* Ask your passenger to be your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
* Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
For more tips, visit the City's website.
Crews Pruning Trees South of Butterfield Road
Forestry crews from the City of Wheaton and contractor Winkler’s Tree Service began pruning parkway trees south of Butterfield Road (Route 56) last week and will continue throughout the next month. Crews typically work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Please use caution when driving through work zones. Traffic will remain open, however temporary lane closures may be necessary to ensure safety during this work.
The City’s Forestry Division divides Wheaton into seven zones, and crews rotate through a 7-year cycle to inspect and prune parkway trees.