Troopers crack down on distracted driving

ALBANY, N.Y. >> State police are cracking down on distracted driving this weekend as part of April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Operation Hang Up is a special enforcement effort to step up patrols and checkpoints targeting drivers using electronic devices through Monday.

While tickets for cell phone use continue to decline, troopers said in a news release the proliferation of smartphones has caused texting tickets to rise every year since 2011. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,477 people were killed in distracted driving crashes nationwide in 2016, while an estimated 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

“Cell phone use and texting are responsible for a significant proportion of traffic crashes, injuries and deaths, said state police superintendent George P. Beach II. “If you’re texting, you’re not driving. While the New York State Police enforces New York’s handheld cellphone and electronic device laws at all times, troopers will crack down on violators during the Operation Hang-Up campaign.”

Troopers will be using both marked and unmarked vehicles as part of the operation in order to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving.

During the 2016 Operation Hang Up campaign, troopers issued more than 18,000 tickets, including more than 2,000 for distracted driving.

Volunteers sought for Canal Clean Sweep

WATERFORD, N.Y. >> The Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center is looking for volunteers to join in the statewide Canal Clean Sweep event from 9 a.m. to noon on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22.

Participants are asked to bring their own gloves

and any rakes, cutters and other implements to help kickoff the 193rd consecutive navigation season of the New York State Canal System.

This year begins the Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary celebration, and the museum will honor that history with an “Always Know Your Pal” exhibit on opening weekend, May 5-7.

For more information on the cleanup or to sign up, call Teri Patton at 235- 0886 or email tpatton1@nycap.rr.com.