SYRACUSE -- The Syracuse Police Department announced the results from its first period of the Distracted Driving Enforcement Project.  The program is designed to stop people from talking on their cell phones or sending text messages while driving. 2,185 tickets were issued, 115 for texting and driving.  Two individuals were picked up twice during the crackdown period.

Syracuse is one of only two cities nationwide to receive a $300,000 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the campaign. There are three more enforcement periods. The first is in July, the second in October, and the third will be next April.

New York State Police is starting a separate program called, "Operation Hang Up." It will target people using their cell phone on the Thruway through Friday night. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 6,000 people died in distracted driving crashes in 2008.

You can find more information about cell phone use in cars by clicking on the link below.