To the Editor:

Distracted driving is a shared concern that requires a shared commitment to change. With April designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, it’s a timely opportunity to remind ourselves that every driver plays a vital role in keeping Cranston’s roads safe.

Since 2018, Rhode Island’s Hands-Free Law has made holding a cellphone or other wireless device illegal while operating a vehicle. Violators face fines of up to $100. But distracted driving is about much more than avoiding citation; it’s about preventing tragedies. At the Cranston Police Department, we take this issue seriously because we’ve seen the consequences firsthand.

Distracted driving goes far beyond texting. It includes any activity that diverts your eyes, hands or attention away from the road — even if just for a moment. These brief distractions can lead to devastating outcomes for drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike.

That’s why officers from the Cranston Police Department remain committed to actively enforcing traffic laws, including those addressing distracted driving. Our department regularly deploys dedicated patrols focused solely on identifying and stopping distracted drivers. These efforts are not about writing tickets; they are about saving lives.

I urge every resident to take personal responsibility each time they get behind the wheel. Let’s make safe driving our only focus — because the safety of our community depends on it.

Col. Michael J. Winquist

Cranston chief of police