Alabama State Troopers have started cracking down on texting while driving on roadways across the state. The increased enforcement begins today and continues through Wednesday.

Troopers will issue citations to drivers observed texting while behind the wheel. Highway Patrol cannot search your vehicle, but they can issue a citation to those caught texting while driving--drivers observed sending texts, drivers looking at their phones and not the road, and drivers who are weaving due to distracted driving.

Texting while driving is illegal in Alabama, and its consequences can be fatal. ABC 33/40 reports:

State Troopers say you are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash if you're texting and driving. Troopers will be paying attention to your driving behavior for the next several days.

So far this year, troopers have worked 8,140 wrecks.

That's 481 more than last year. They believe texting and driving is a contributing factor in many of these crashes.

Learn more about the dangers of texting while driving by checking out the video below, and remember-- DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!

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