Put away that cell phone while you’re driving. The life you save may be your own.

Area police are cracking down on individuals who are distracted when behind the wheel.  

Drivers received more citations for distracted driving in 2017 across the region than in previous years.

The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts recently released information that states that citations increased by 52 percent statewide in 2017, and have increased 172 percent since 2013.

Across the region, last year, Potter County saw 25 citations relating to text-based communications compared to 14 in 2016 and seven in 2015; McKean County, four for 2017, and one each for 2016 and 2015; Elk County, 10 in 2017, two in 2016 and zero in 2015; and Cameron County, two in 2017, three in 2016 and zero in 2015.

“I am not surprised at the amount cited. Actually (I am) surprised that it isn’t higher,” Sweden Township Police Chief Bryan Phelps said.

But police aren’t lax in cracking down on distracted driving. Each day, the police force seeks out these violations and issues citations, he said. In nearby Coudersport, borough Police Chief Curt McClain said that officers are being more proactive in enforcing distracted driving in an attempt at reducing crashes.

Texting while driving results in a $50 fine plus court costs and fees, according to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

“Unfortunately driving is not the primary thing when people get behind the wheel,” Bradford Township Chief Robb Shipman said.

McKean County doesn’t have as many citations as other counties, thanks to the population and traffic, Bradford City Assistant Chief Michael Ward said.

Even so, Foster Township Police Chief Tom Munn said he urges people to text before getting on the road and/or once at their destination.

Or people should pull the vehicle over and send a text, he said. “I have seen people pull off,” Munn said.

Cell phone usage isn’t the only distraction Munn has witnessed. He has also seen drivers eating and drinking. Shipman recommends that drivers use hands-free devices. Ward also suggests that people set their phones to do-not-disturb mode.

Being hands-free is commonsense, said Shipman.

In the past, police have come across accidents caused by cell phone usage, Ward said.

“Distracted driving is killing people, families and friends,” Phelps said. “Any function with the phone I believe should be totally hands-free.”

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that distracted driving claimed

3,477 lives in 2015.