SLOPD on lookout for distracted drivers this week

The San Luis Obispo Police Department will be cracking down on distracted drivers over the next two weeks.

In a news release, the department said it will add extra traffic patrol officers starting Monday and continuing through April 22, where officers will be looking for drivers using electronic devices such as cell phones, while driving.

According to the department, there were 3,154 fatalities and an estimated 424,000 people injured nationwide in crashes involving a distracted driver. That same year, 10 percent of fatal crashes were reported as distraction-affected crashes.

The department will use funds from a California Office of Traffic Safety grant to staff extra officers during the enhanced patrols.

This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 5:15 PM with the headline "SLOPD on lookout for distracted drivers this week."