Lancaster County Sheriffs (LSO) and the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) will be out in force this week conducting a special enforcement effort to crack down on distracted driving incidents.
LPD recognizing April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and LSO will be taking part in the national ‘U Text. U Drive. U Pay’ campaign.
“This project will assign additional officers around Lincoln intersections with high crash rates to monitor red light violations and drivers distracted by cell phones,” says LPD Public Information Manager Erika Thomas.
Thomas says there will be strict enforcement of traffic signal violations and the use of cell phones while driving. The fine for violating a traffic signal is $75 and $200 for texting while driving.
Around the rest of the county, LSO will have additional deputies patrolling in marked patrol cars from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. — concentrating efforts on distracted driving violations such as the use of handheld wireless communication devices.
LPD’s effort will run through April 8th, and LSO’s office will increase the number of deputies working through April 7th. Both campaigns are being funded by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.