September distracted driving enforcement campaign results in 284 citations

(Bismarck, ND) -- In an effort to save lives, law enforcement agencies across the state worked overtime in September for the statewide distracted driving enforcement campaign, U Drive. U Text. U Pay.

A total of 284 citations were attributed to the added patrols. Of the total citations, 165 were issued for distracted driving, 24 for other traffic citations (i.e. disobeying traffic signals, equipment violations), 47 citations for speeding, 20 citations for suspended/revoked license, 10 citations for being an uninsured motorist, four drug-related arrests and two citations for not wearing a seat belt.

Although distracted driving takes on many forms, texting is one of the most common. Texting while driving is a behavior so dangerous that drivers are 23 times more at risk of a crash or near-crash event. Text messaging is prohibited for all drivers in North Dakota.

For more information on traffic initiatives in the state, click here.