​Vigo County Sheriff’s Office

​​The Vigo County Sheriff’s Office is conducting highly-visible traffic patrols this April as part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Police in most states may now write traffic tickets for texting while driving. In Indiana, it is illegal to type, transmit or read e-mail or text messages on a communication device while driving.

“This April and year-long, remember U Drive. U Text. U Pay,” said Sheriff Greg Ewing. “You could pay
with a traffic fine, medical bills – or worse – the life of someone you love.”

In 2016, an estimated 3,450 people were killed and 391,000 were injured in traffic crashes involving
distraction. These injuries and deaths are preventable.

Types of distraction

Distraction takes many forms and involves anything that takes your eyes, hands or focus from the road.

Distracted driving includes eating, reading, grooming, applying makeup, watching videos or interacting
with passengers. Pedestrians and cyclists can be distracted too.

Mobile devices and in-car electronics can now do more than ever – make calls, exchange text messages,
provide navigation and entertain passengers – but this complexity takes our eyes off the road for longer.

This on-the-go access also causes some to expect quick responses to phone calls and text messages.

Hands-free devices and car mounts are safer, but they still distract your eyes, hands or brain.

Sending or receiving one text message takes your eyes off the road a total of 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph,
that’s like driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

Tips and advice

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute offers the following tips:

• Keep your eyes and concentration on the road and both hands on the wheel.
• Watch for distracted drivers and anticipate they may stop or change lanes suddenly.
• Set a good example and make a public pledge to avoid distractions on the road.

Press Release

​The City of Terre Haute in conjunction with Keep Terre Haute Beautiful and Republic Services, will have a city-wide cleanup on May 5, 2018. The City of Terre Haute organizes these cleanups in the Spring and Fall of each year.


Please volunteer for the cleanup and help make your neighborhood and city look their very best! On May 5th, we will meet in the back parking lot of the Terre Haute Police Department, 105 S. 13th St. at 8:00 a.m.  Volunteers will be given a route map, gloves, bags, and snacks.  The cleanup will run from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and include several targeted areas in the city. Businesses, churches, schools and other organizations are encouraged to bring a group of people to help.  

Once again, several open top dumpsters will be placed in targeted areas throughout the city. The dumpster locations will be:

• City Hall, 17 Harding Ave.
• Police Department, 105 S. 13th
• Maple Av. Nature Park, 500 Maple Ave.
• TH Street Department, 1329 Deming
• Rose Park, 1515 Locust
• 1304 S. 6th Street (Farrington Grove Area)

Note: Hazardous waste, including but not limited to refrigeration units, chemicals, tires and batteries, will not be taken.

The City reminds all citizens to be good stewards of the environment by cleaning up around your own property, street and alley.

​If you would like to volunteer or have any other questions about the May 5th citywide cleanup you can contact the Mayor’s office at 244-2303.