The West Hartford Police Department’s 2016 distracted driving enforcement campaign got underway on April 4.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Police Department’s 2016 campaign against distracted driving began on April 4, and according to Capt. Jeff Rose, who heads the Traffic Division, more than 300 infractions for violations relating to distracted driving have already been issued.

West Hartford’s efforts are part of the Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office’s “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” campaign, with funding for additional patrols to target distracted driving enforcement made possible through a $45,375 grant provided by the Federal Highway Safety Administration.

According to Rose, during the campaign there are up to eight additional officers per day patrolling in marked as well as unmarked vehicles who are focused on looking for motorists who are using handheld cellphones and other mobile devices while driving.

Enforcement is concentrated on main roads such as Park Road, New Britain Avenue, Farmington Avenue, North Main Street, and Albany Avenue – as well as in school and construction zones and other neighborhoods throughout town.

“Our goal will not only be to ticket motorists who disobey Connecticut Statutes. We also hope to save lives by changing people’s behavior and deterring this dangerous habit,” Off. Mike Coyne of the West Hartford Police Traffic Division said in a news release about the campaign. “The operation of a motor vehicle is one of our most important responsibilities,” he added.

Last week both Conard and Hall high schools hosted the “Save a Life Tour,” a program focused on distracted driving education. Juniors and seniors at both schools received an educational presentation and had the opportunity to test out a distracted driving simulators. Students also signed safe driving pledges.

The first phase of this year’s”U Drive. U Text. U Pay” campaign will end on April 30, 2016. A second phase of distracted driving enforcement in West Hartford is scheduled for Aug. 3-16, 2016.

Rose said that during 2015, the “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” campaign netted more than 1,000 motor vehicle arrests, including 961 infractions for illegal cellphone use.

Fines in Connecticut for violations begin at $150 for a first offense, increase to $300 for a second offense, and are $500 for subsequent violations. Fines double in a construction, utility, traffic, or fire safety zones.

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