Distracted Drivers Beware in Greenwich

It's an annual rite of spring for - cracking down on distracted drivers during the month of April.

The department's Traffic Section head, Sgt. John Slusarz, said his traffic enforcement officers are looking for drivers who are using hand-held cellphones or texting while driving. "And for our patrol officers on two shifts, this is their enforcement focus when not on a call," Slusarz said.

A traffic infraction for distracted driving carries a $100 fine. "It takes less time to write out a ticket than writing an accident report. And we'd rather write a ticket than an accident report for one of our residents who's been hurt in an accident. This is a good use of our time," Slusarz added.

The month of April is one of four months a year the department focuses on distracted driving, accoring to Slusarz.

During March, the enforcement officers focused on drivers who pass stopped school buses. "We had 21 violations," Slusarz said. "Officers would follow a school bus and within one or two stops, they had a violator. By the time they finish the paperwork, the bus would be done with the paperwork. Twenty-one violations is a lot of people.

Passing a school bus carries a pretty hefty fine—$465.