April is National Distracted Driving Month

In support of National Districted Driving Month, the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is teaming up with Michigan Office of Highway Safety and Planning for a high-visibility enforcement called “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.”

During the month of April, law-enforcement officers will remind motorists about the dangers of distracted driving while enforcing Michigan’s “texting while driving” law. Deputies plan to step up enforcement by stopping and ticketing anyone caught texting while driving.

The goal is to reduce crashes caused by distracted drivers, sheriff’s officials said.

Fine for a ticket is $100 for the first offense and $200 for every subsequent violation.