Operation Hang Up Targets Distracted Drivers

Police in New York will be cracking down on distracted driving this week as part of April's National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

"Operation Hang Up" is a statewide enforcement effort to step up patrols and checkpoints targeting drivers using electronic devices.

According to the Governor's Office, there's been a 918 percent increase in tickets for texting while driving in New York from 2011 to 2016.

"Distracted driving is dangerous and illegal, ad with this crackdown we are once again sending the message that making calls or texting behind the wheel will not be tolerated in New York," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "State Police and local law enforcement will be out in force to ensure our roadways are safe, and I urge all drivers to act responsibly and put their devices down to prevent tragedy and heartbreak."

The initiative will take place today through Monday.

During the April 2016 "Operation Hang Up" campaign, State Police issued more than 2,000 tickets for distracted driving.