Troy police take aim at distracted drivers

TROY (AP) -- Bagel-chomping motorists prone to texting while driving beware: Police in Troy have officially begun looking for you.

The Detroit News says Troy police began enforcing the city's new driving while distracted ordinance, which went into effect Saturday.

The ordinance passed last year in the city about 15 miles north of Detroit aims to crack down on distracted drivers whose bad behind-the-wheel behavior includes using a cell phone, eating, grooming and interacting with pets. Motorists face fines from $75 to $200.

Police deferred enforcement until 2011, but officers had been issuing warning citations.

A statewide law that makes it illegal for a person to read, write or send text messages while operating a moving vehicle went into effect July 1.

Published: Tue, Jan 4, 2011