Talk Show Queen Oprah Winfrey Urges National 'No Phone Zone' Day

Police officers in designated communities in New York and Connecticut set up checkpoints, and ticketed any drivers who were caught violating the law.

"It's time for drivers to act responsibly, put their hands on the wheel and focus on the road," LaHood said in a statement.

Drivers Know the Risks, So Why Do They Do It?

Officer Kevin Hesta of the Hartford, Conn., police department questioned the practice. Connecticut is one of the states where texting and driving is banned, and unless drivers use a hands-free device, using a cell phone behind the wheel is against the law.

"It's just dangerous," Hesta said earlier this month. "I've seen people literally hands over the steering wheel, texting like this, driving with wrists."

Experts believe the only real way to change drivers' behavior is to make sure they know they'll be caught and face tough consequences.

The new program is just one of the many awareness efforts launched by governments, private corporations and advocacy groups to combat the problem.

Click HERE to find out more and the cell phone and texting laws in your state.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

AT&T recently ran a public service campaign focusing on the last text message that was sent or received before someone was injured or killed because of texting and driving.

In one of the television spots, the text "Where u at?" flashed on the screen while a woman said, "This is the text my daughter was reading when she drove into oncoming traffic."

Her daughter, 18-year-old Mariah West, lost control of the car. She died.

Verizon Wireless and Allstate Insurance also have launched campaigns to discourage distracted driving.

April has been designated National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

ABC News' Sarah Herndon contributed to this report.

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