A nationwide program will kick off in Syracuse before being expanded across New York in an effort to combat distracted driving. Officials hope increased enforcement will lead to a reduction in New York car accidents.

New York is one of two states participating in the federal government's pilot program; Connecticut is the other state, where an enforcement program will launch in Hartford. The program, similar to drunk driving crackdowns and seat-belt enforcement blitzes, will help the government determine whether enforcement blitzes are a valuable tool in combating driver cell-phone use and other forms of distracted driving.

As we reported last month on our New York Injury Lawyer blog, New York is one of 18 states with laws banning texting while driving. About 6,000 people die and more than 500,000 are injured each year by traffic accidents caused by some for of driver distraction, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nationwide, the government estimates 4 out of every 5 traffic accidents involve some form of driver distraction.

Like the nationwide seat belt campaign "Click it. Or Ticket," the pilot program will focus on increased enforcement and public advertising aimed at educating motorists about the dangers of distracted driving, including text messaging and cell phone use, with the message "Phone in One Hand. Ticket in the Other."

"It's time for drivers to act responsibly, put their hands on the wheel and focus on the road," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Each program is supported by a $200,000 federal grant and $100,000 in matching funds. The program is expected to expand across New York after the trial period this month in Syracuse.

Each pilot program is supported by $200,000 in federal funds and matched by $100,000 from the state. Researchers will study changes in attitudes and behavior from beginning to end and the results will serve as a model for employing high visibility enforcement, education and outreach to reduce distracted driving behaviors in other cities and states across the country.