JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Several Law Enforcement agencies in North Dakota will be using traditional and innovative methods to detect and cite drivers that text during April.

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Drive, U Text, U Pay, which is a national enforcement effort scheduled during the observance of Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. Multiple vehicles and trained observers may or may not be uniformed officers and will coordinate with their agency officers during the increased enforcement period.

“Our enforcement teams will protect travelers in our area by deploying in various parts of the community to identify and cite drivers who appear to be texting while driving,” stated Sgt. Dana Rustebakke of the Valley City Police Department.

Composing, reading or sending any electronic message or using a communications device to access the Internet while driving is illegal in North Dakota for drivers of all ages. Violating the texting law results in a fine of $100 and applies to any driver of a vehicle in a traffic lane, even while stopped at a red light or in a construction zone.

“Distracted driving crashes can be prevented, and that’s why the texting while driving law is enforced,” said Sgt. Rustebakke. “The public can help by putting their phones away while driving and asking their family, friends and coworkers to do the same.”

Participating law enforcement agencies include police departments in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, Valley City and Watford City. The Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department and the University of North Dakota have also scheduled extra enforcement for texting while driving.