Perry County Sheriff Increases Patrols Targeting Distracted Driving, Speeding

The Perry County Sheriff's Office joined a statewide enforcement surge this week, putting deputies on overtime patrol through April 13 to crack down on two of Indiana's most deadly driving behaviors: speeding and phone use behind the wheel.

The effort is part of Indiana's annual Safer Roads Campaign, run through the Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program, known as CHIRP, a federal-funded initiative administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. Deputies began the increased patrols April 4 and will continue through next Sunday, specifically targeting drivers who exceed posted speed limits or violate Indiana's Hands-Free Law.

That law, which took effect in 2020, prohibits motorists from physically holding a mobile device while driving. Calls must be made using Bluetooth, a headset, or other hands-free technology. Violations carry fines, and under the current enforcement push, deputies are writing tickets, not issuing warnings.

The numbers behind the campaign are stark. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Indiana recorded 249 speeding-related fatalities in 2023. Distracted driving contributed to at least 47 more deaths that same year, though officials have acknowledged that data collection limitations mean the true toll is likely higher. Statewide, Indiana officers issued 18,887 hands-free citations in 2024, a single-year record and the third consecutive annual increase.

For drivers in Tell City, Cannelton, and throughout Perry County, the practical takeaway is straightforward: place the phone in a mount or the center console before starting the vehicle, keep speeds at posted limits, and expect a visible deputy presence on county roads through the end of next week.