WATCH, Video Of New York State Troopers Spotting Distracted Drivers

Put the phone away or pay! New York State Police are on patrol and looking for distracted drivers during April's Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Take a look at the video below to see how Troopers spot you with a phone in your hand. You aren't as slick as you think you are.

During the 'put the phone away or pay' campaign, Troopers will conduct targeted enforcement details focused on drivers using electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. Watch the video below.

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We are all guilty of holding our phone to check a quick text, social media post, to make a quick call. Problem is that quick moment can turn dangerous and deadly in a second.

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Troopers will utilize both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles. These specialized vehicles allow Troopers to better observe violations from an elevated vantage point. While CITE vehicles blend into everyday traffic, they are clearly identifiable as emergency vehicles when emergency lighting is activated. Watch this video.

In September my 92-year-old mom was the passenger in a car, waiting for a traffic light to turn green, One moment she was looking forward to spending the day with her daughter, the next moment the car she was in was struck head-on. My mom didn't survive the injuries from that accident. I don't want this to happen to you.

New York State law includes the following penalties for distracted driving:

• First offense: fine ranging from $50 to $200
• Second offense within 18 months: fine up to $250
• Third or subsequent offense within 18 months: fine up to $450
• Probationary and junior drivers face a 120-day license suspension for a first offense, and a one-year revocation if a second offense is committed within six months