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KEARNEY — The Kearney Police Department will be part of a national campaign from April 7 to 14, 2025, highlighting the perils of texting and distracted driving.
This annual initiative, a crucial part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Put the Phone Away or Pay”
campaign, unites over 10,000 law enforcement agencies across the country to foster safer driving habits.
Stay Focused—Put the Phone Away
Kearney Police Department and NHTSA urge all drivers to stay alert and keep their phones out of reach while behind the wheel. If you need to send a text, pull over to a safe location first.
Follow these steps for a safer driving experience:
- Pull Over Before You Text – If you need to send or read a message, park in a safe spot first.
- Use a “Designated Texter” – If you have a passenger, let them handle your messages and calls.
- Avoid Social Media While Driving – No post, snap, or scroll is worth the risk.
- Break the Habit – If you struggle with phone use while driving, activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature or store it in the glove box, back seat, or trunk until you reach your destination.
Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. No message is worth a life. Remember: Put the Phone Away or Pay-it’s not just a slogan, it’s a call to action.
A grant from the Nebraska Department of Highway Safety makes the Kearney Police Department’s participation in this campaign possible.
Check out our website at www.cityofkearney.org.
