N.C. Highway Patrol troopers this week will be targeting drivers doing anything else behind the wheel other than driving.

The first “Distracted Driving” campaign for troopers in the Twin Counties will take place Wednesday and Thursday along Interstate 95 from the Virginia state line to Johnston County. Troopers also will target Interstate 85 in Durham County and Interstate 40 in Johnston, Durham and Wake counties. Troopers will be on the look out for drivers doing anything to distract from the task of driving, including texting, eating, driving, grooming, reading, watching a video or adjusting the radio, CD player or MP3 player.

“What we are really trying to do is educate the public on how dangerous any distraction can be,” Highway Patrol First Sgt. Jerry Cameron said.

In 2009, North Carolina law made it illegal for people to text while driving. Officials said the law is difficult to enforce because legal activities – like dialing a number – can resemble texting to a passing motorist, so authorities complement enforcement with educational programs.

“If you think about it, if you are going 55 mph and you look down for four or five seconds to read that text, you have gone a decent distance with your eyes off the road,” trooper Seth McFarland said. “If a driver pulls out in front of you and you aren’t watching the road, you may not have time to respond and could get injured or killed.”

Authorities said in addition to texting while driving tickets, troopers will write tickets for careless and reckless driving or failure to maintain proper lane control for distracted drivers during the campaign.

“Drivers should keep their focus on the road for the safety of everyone involved – themselves and everyone else,” Cameron said. “We all share the road, and it is everyone’s responsibility to drive safely.”

To report a distracted driver, stranded motorist or other issue while on North Carolina highways, dial *HP from a cellphone.