WESTPORT — Distracted driving can have fatal consequences.

And Westport police say they are deadly earnest in cracking down on local distracted drivers as part of a national enforcement campaign for the latter half of October.

In 2020, 3,142 people died in motor vehicle crashes caused by distracted driving, adding to the total of more than 29,000 victims since 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is coordinating the campaign. 

The stepped-up enforcement effort in Connecticut is being promoted by the state Department of Transportation and local police agencies, such as Westport.

Police are reminding drivers that state law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile device while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are 16 or 17 years old are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time, even hands free.

Drivers who violate Connecticut’s distracted-driving laws are fined $200 for the first offense, $375 for the second offense and $625 for the third and subsequent offenses.