‘Put the Phone Away – or Pay’: DCSO Community Action Target Team reports results of recent distracted driving crackdown

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Members of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Community Action Target Team (CATT) participated in the “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign last month, stopping dozens of drivers for distracted driving or other issues that led to dozens of warnings, citations and a few arrests.

During the month of April, members of CATT focused specifically on distracted driving, though they did stop motorists for other violations, Lieutenant Chris Erhardt said. As a result, CATT members stopped 93 motorists, resulting in 63 warnings, 33 citations and four arrests.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office urges motorists to put the phone away and focus on the roadway. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will continue to focus on the five fatal behaviors that cause crashes: lane safety, occupant safety, distracted driving, speed, and impaired driving.