Texting Sting: 52 Drivers Cited in 4 Hours in West Bridgewater

WEST BRIDGEWATER, MA — How prevalent is texting while driving?

Probably too prevalent, at least according to a string conducted in West Bridgewater this week.

Fifty-two—count 'em—52 drivers were cited in just four hours Wednesday.

Another shock?

One driver was actually cited twice.

“I thought you had left the area for the day," the male driver told police the second time.

The sting was conducted from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. A total of 110 drivers were stopped.

West Bridgewater police said they take a no-nonsense approach to texting while driving.

"Distracted driving is a huge public safety issue," police said in a statement.

Since January 2013, West Bridgewater police have issued over 550 texting citations and conducted eight stings.

On Wednesday, police said many drivers were grateful for their efforts.

"Individuals ... drove by and acknowledged (officers') presence by giving us the thumbs up and stopping to thank officers," police said.

The sting was timed with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month this month. Police departments in Massachusetts and across the country are stepping up enforcement efforts.

Photo credit: West Bridgewater police