Displaying items by tag: Lt William Wiertz

Holiday travel means the battle against distracted driving goes into high gear. The Ohio Turnpike has gotten thousands to take a pledge to drive cell-phone free, and they could win a gas gift card.

Lt. William Wiertz with the Ohio State Highway Patrol says of all the distractions behind the wheel, using cell phones for talking or texting tops the list.

"Just my daily commute to work is about an hour drive, and I see it all the time, where people are not paying attention to what's in front of them," Lt. Wiertz tells WAKR.net, "They're either texting, or talking on their phone, or looking on their phone." Lt. Wiertz says he's seen others eat or read while driving.He says that it's not that the rate of distracted driving increases during the holidays, but the holiday traffic means it's more likely.

The Ohio Turnpike is also continues their long-standing program of offering free coffee to late-night drivers on this New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. 24-hour service plazas will provide one free cup of coffee to those looking for a caffeine jolt starting at 10:00 tonight and running through 7:00 Friday morning.

In addition, for the 33rd year Rubber City Radio Group's "LifeRide" program. "LifeRide" across greater Akron can get you home from holiday parties safely. Call 330-376-RIDE for a free cab ride home starting at five and ending at three in the morning.