Gov. M. Jodi Rell has directed the state Department of Public Safety to crack down on distracted drivers this week.

The crackdown is called ?Operation Safe Drive.? State lawmakers say Rell is upset about recent accidents along the highways, which is why she ordered the aggressive project.

State police say some common distractions include talking on cell phones, reading maps, eating and personal grooming.

According to police, drivers should use hands-free devices for cell phones to keep focused on the road. Police say drivers should never read maps, and they shouldn?t try to pick up items that have dropped.

Last year, state police say they handed out a total of 6,300 tickets and 1,400 warnings to distracted drivers.