University of Delaware Police are participating in a special effort this month to combat distracted driving, along with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and other law enforcement agencies in the state.

Scheduled throughout the month of March, the initiative urges motorists to focus on driving and to not use hand-held cell phones for texting or other distracting behaviors while driving. According to OHS, from 2012-16, March was the highest month for cell phone related crashes in Delaware.

From March 2-19, UD Police officers and law enforcement officers statewide will be conducting additional enforcement, focusing particularly on distracted drivers. Other traffic safety violations will be addressed as observed.

OHS reminds drivers that using a hand-held cell phone device is a distraction. Hands-free means hands-free. This means NO texting, checking email, using social media or taking selfies or pictures. Drivers should keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. Your actions in your vehicle may endanger you and other drivers around you.

Delaware's cell phone law bans the use of any hand-held device while operating a motor vehicle. You can use hands-free technology talk on a cell phone while driving. However, if you have to make a call, it's best to find a place to pull over so that your attention isn't taken away from driving. If a police officer observes you using a hand-held device while driving, you can be stopped for the violation and cited $100 (plus court costs) for your first offense.  If you get caught again, penalties can increase to $300. 

Consider these facts:

• A four-year analysis of Delaware crash data (2012-16) reveals 55 percent of all cell phone related crashes are caused by drivers under the age of 30.

• For those under 30, some 60 percent of the crashes are caused by male drivers.

• Of all cell phone related crashes, 77 percent occur between 5-6 p.m.

• New Castle County accounts for 62 percent of all cell phone related crashes. (Kent County accounts for 17 percent, and Sussex County for 21 percent.)

For more information, visit www.arrivealiveDE.com/justdrive

Follow OHS for regular updates on Facebook ArriveAliveDE, Twitter @DEHighwaySafe, and www.ohs.delaware.gov.