New York state continues to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.

State and local police are currently taking part in the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay program to help cut down on dangerous crashes caused by distracted drivers.

Law enforcement across the state will be stepping up patrols through Monday, as April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

During the October 2020 campaign, more than 30,000 tickets were issued, with nearly 2,900 of those for distracted driving.

Just this week, local State trooper Joe Gallagher died from injuries sustained in a 2017 when police say he was struck by a vehicle while the driver was texting.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says more than 3,000 people were killed in distraction-affected crashes in 2019.