New Jersey To Launch Campaign Against Distracted Drivers

Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook | Twitter

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS/AP) — New Jersey will soon kick off its annual campaign against distracted drivers, particularly those who text while driving. Authorities say 207 police departments and law enforcement agencies will get more than $1 million in grants overall for additional patrols to issue tickets.

The distracted driving fines range between $200 to $400 for a first offense and can lead to license suspensions beyond a third offense.

The targeted enforcement campaign begins Monday and runs through April 21, coinciding with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

"Distracted driving kills. The friends, family, and neighbors of the thousands of people killed nationwide each year in distracted driving crashes will tell you it is a very serious safety problem," the state says on its website.

During last year's enforcement period, officers issued more than 13,000 tickets for cell phone use while driving and nearly 6,000 tickets for careless driving. Police also issued more than 6,500 speeding tickets and more than 5,700 seat belt citations.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)