West Hartford Part Of Statewide Crackdown On Texting And Driving

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Efforts to deter — and punish — cell phone use by drivers are increasing in West Hartford.

The West Hartford Police Department will be participating in a fall wave of a statewide distracted driving high visibility enforcement campaign that is slated to run from Oct. 15 to 31.

Officers will focus on enforcement of distracted driving offenses to include the use of hand-held cellular devices while driving, police said.

"Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving," police said.

According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, in 2020, nearly 5,000 crashes were attributed to distracted driving.

As of Oct. 1, texting and driving fines have increased. Here they are:

• 1st offense $200 (was $150)
• 2nd offense $375 (was $300)
• 3rd offense $625 (was $500)