Fifty police departments across Connecticut are participating in an annual campaign to crack down on distracted driving.

The first wave of this year's “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” campaign took place in April, when 12,000 citations were issued statewide.

Capt. Robert Cipolla of the Wilton Police Department describes the campaign as high visibility enforcement, in which an officer will park in a discrete location and call out distracted driving to officers nearby, who will then administer the violations.

While he says the strategic focus will be on cellphone usage, distracted driving behaviors in general will be cited as well.

Cipolla says first-time offenders will be charged a $150 fine; second-time offenders $300; and third-time offenders and beyond $500.

The campaign will run until August 16.