New York cracking down on distracted drivers

NEW YORK -- Police in New York are embarking on a statewide crackdown on texting while driving.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that from Friday to Wednesday state troopers in marked and unmarked vehicles will "aggressively" target motorists who use handheld devices while driving.

The stepped up enforcement is timed to coincide with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Adults caught texting while driving face big fines, while young drivers can have their licenses suspended.

According to national figures for 2013, more than 3,100 people were killed in crashes that involved a distracted driver.

A similar crackdown last fall resulted in State Police issuing more than 550 tickets to motorists caught using a hand-held device while driving.