ONONDAGA CO. -- Onondaga County police agencies ticketed more drivers last month for speeding in school zones and passing stopped school buses.
In fact, the number of tickets increased by about 240 percent from last September to this past September.
This year, police agencies issued a total of 1,073 tickets compared to 447 during the same time period last year.
Even more people were ticketed for passing a stopped school bus. That increased by 400 percent.
Overall, Onondaga County Sheriff's deputies issued the most tickets -- 701 -- for speeding in school zones or passing stopped school buses. Almost every police agency had a significant increase over the same time period last year.
Officials hope their efforts will cut the number of crashes in Onondaga County and keep children safe.
September is the seventh month of a county-wide initiative, and each month there has been a drastic increase in enforcement and tickets issued.
This month, law enforcement agencies in Onondaga County will be focused on drivers using cell phones and portable electronic devices behind the wheel.
This past April, police issued 3,012 tickets for cell phone violations. This time, "texting" while driving is now a primary offense. You can be ticketed for holding a cell phone, IPod, GPS or other electronic device while driving. You could get up to two points on your license if you're caught.
Make sure you're using a hands-free device while talking on your cell phone while driving.
