Drivers are encouraged to make sure they’re being attentive behind the wheel as local law enforcement is looking for distracted drivers.

The Jefferson Police Department encourages motorists to be vigilant in obeying traffic laws, especially in and around school zones.  Officers will be looking for distracted drivers, texting while driving, seat belt violations, speeding, illegal parking and flashing school bus light violations.

The department says all distractions endanger driver, passenger and bystander safety.  These include simple things like watching or listening to video, eating or drinking behind the wheel, adjusting the radio or climate control, using a navigation system, applying make-up, fatigue and reaching for a dropped item.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, our youngest and most inexperienced drivers are the most at risk, with 16 percent of all distracted driving crashes involving drivers under 20.

At any given moment during the day, over 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held phone.

The “Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other” campaign aims to eliminate distracted driving.