Berlin Police Crack Down On Texting While Driving

BERLIN, CT — The Berlin Police Department is taking part in the U Drive, U Text, U Pay campaign during the coming days. From Aug. 1 to 5, the department will engage in a high-visibility effort to enforce distracted-driving laws.

The effort is part of the state Department of Transportation and the federal National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration's efforts to maintain drivers' focus on the roads.

"Distracted driving is a real problem," police said in a statement. "During this enforcement period, officers will be ticketing anyone who is texting or on their phone while behind the wheel."

The penalty for violating distracted driving laws is $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense, and $500 for subsequent offenses.