UPDATE: 152 Drivers Stopped for Cell Phone Violations in First 17 Days of October

Update: Oct. 18 8 a.m.

Sgt. Carol Ogrinc reports that between Oct. 11 and Oct. 17, police issued 52 summonses for cell phone violations in New Canaan. This is in addition to the 66 citations issued between Oct. 1 and Oct 12. 

Original Story

New Canaan police have increased the number of citations issued to drivers using cell phones and other mobile devices, and have issued their first citation for a violation of the state's new "distracted driving" law, which went into effect on Oct. 1.

In the first 12 days of Oct., the period for which statistics were available, 100 motor vehicles were stopped, 66 infractions were issued and 34 drivers got off with verbal warnings. 

Those numbers are up considerably from the month of Sept., when New Canaan police stopped 37 vehicles for cell phone violations. Twenty-six infractions were issued and 11 drivers were given verbal warnings in the whole month.

"We are definitely stepping up enforcement," Sgt. Carol Ogrinc told Patch. In addition to the cell phone violations, she said the first "distracted driving" offense was issued to Charles A. Bencivenga, 47, of Baldwin, NY on Oct. 2. She did not have details of the infraction.

The "distracted driving law" -- officially Bill No. 427 -- adds a number of other restrictions to a previous law against using a cell phone without a hands free device.  

Among the added restrictions are typing, sending or reading a text message while driving. As added incentive to local police departments to enforce the new law, 25% of the fines collected for infractions against the new rules will go directly to the town's coffers. In the past, penalties paid went directly to the state.