WESTPORT — They’re not fooling.

Even though the annual “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” campaign against distracted driving was launched April 1 — April Fools Day” — Westport police warn they are serious about cracking down on texting-while-driving violations and related offenses this month.

Local police are partnering for the nationwide enforcement effort with the state and federal Departments of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The campaign will continue through April 30.

Last year, police said, there were nearly 5,200 crashes attributed to distracted driving in Connecticut alone.

Nationally, more than 3,100 lives were lost in accidents involving distracted drivers in 2020, the last year for which complete statistics are available, according to the NHTSA, or about 8 percent of all fatal crashes.

Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile electronic device while driving. Drivers 16 or 17 years old are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time, even with a hands-free accessory. 

Fines are imposed for violating the distracted-driving laws: Drivers are fined $200 for the first offense, $375 for a second offense and $625 for third and subsequent offenses.

“Every state trooper has seen the horrible consequences of drivers not paying attention to the road. The results can be heartbreaking,” James Rovella, commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, said in a press statement.

“A distracted driver is a menace to other drivers on the road. The sad part is that all distracted driving accidents can be avoided by simply ditching the distractions.”