NMPD Officer David Petersen during a speeding enforcement program in September
NEW MILFORD — New Milford Police are taking part in a statewide distracted driving enforcement starting April 1.
The campaign is called “U DRIVE. U TEXT. U PAY” and is sponsored by the Natioanal Highway Traffic Safety Administration, that has named April “National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.”
Police along with the DOT Highway Safety Office have partnered to crackdown on morotists who chose to text, talk or otherwise distract themselves from the task of driving by use of a hand-held mobile phone.
Extra patrols will be added and strategies include roving police patrols, spotters strategically located on local and state roads, and stationary police vehicles prominently placed around the town.
Under Connecticut’s cell phone and texting law, violations involve heavy fines, ranging from $150 for first offense, $300 for second offense, and $500 for each subsequent violation.
The enforcement program runs from April 1 through april 30 and again from Aug. 3 through Aug. 16.