DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. — Focus on the road or be prepared to pull out your wallet.
Mississippi Highway Patrol Officers have been showing no mercy for people caught driving distracted.
Last year, more than 600 people died on Mississippi roadways.
More than 73 teenagers were among those that died in 2014, and October was the deadliest month.
“Distracted driving, careless driving, speeding, and seatbelt usage are issues in Mississippi when it comes to safe driving,” Captain Johnny Poulos, Director of Public Affairs with Mississippi Highway Patrol, said.
They said the awareness campaign hopes to bring the numbers down this year.
MHP Officers will be in schools all month talking to young people about the dangers and on the roadways enforcing the law.
“We’re trying to lower the number of knocks made on families’ doors to notify them of a loved one that will not be returning home. That is our main mission,” Captain Poulos said.
Poulos said this campaign is not about how many citation they give out.