New York, NY —

Police in New York and Connecticut are starting a new enforcement effort against cellphone use while driving. It's a program backed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which wants stronger state laws against distracted driving. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says states are asking his agency how they can enforce these tougher laws, and a study of our local roads and highways is a testing ground.

"We have two studies going on right now," LaHood says. "One in New York, and one in Connecticut that we're funding. We're giving money to law enforcement people so that if they see somebody with a cell phone in their hand, they're going to give them a ticket. We're going to see how these things work."

The studies will involve more high-visibility enforcement, with police making more of an effort to spot drivers and write more tickets.

New York was the first state to institute a hand-held cell phone ban in 2001. New York and Connecticut are among five states where an officer may ticket a driver for using a cell phone while driving without any other traffic offense taking place.