STATE POLICE ISSUE 978 CITATIONS      

                                 FOR DISTRACTED DRIVING IN 48 HOURS

                                     Enforcement Efforts by Troopers

The Connecticut State Police have already issued 978 citations to drivers for distracted driving, including the use of cell phones, in an enforcement effort that began this week.

As ordered by Governor M. Jodi Rell, the State Police began a statewide crackdown on distracted driving in the state, a habit that causes far too many accidents on Connecticut’s streets and highways.

During the first 48 hours of the “Hang Up or Pay Up” enforcement efforts, State Police issued 978 tickets, each with a $100 fine.

It has been four years since the state passed a law prohibiting the use of cell phones and hand-held electronic devices by those operating motor vehicles.  The law allows drivers over the age of 18 to use cell phones only with hands-free devices. In 2008 alone, the State Police handed out 10,000 tickets for cell phone violations.

“Reducing the number of distracted drivers will reduce the number accidents that our Troopers see every day on Connecticut roads.  These motor vehicle accidents are preventable, so drivers in our state need to hang up and just drive – or risk getting a ticket from our Troopers,” said Colonel Thomas Davoren, Commanding Officer of the Connecticut State Police.

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