WAILUKU » Maui police officers handed out more than 1,000 citations to drivers for using cellphones last month.

The Maui News reports that the number is nearly double the total for the previous four months. Lt. Ricky Uedoi, head of the Traffic Section, says most of the 1,118 tickets were handed out in Central Maui. He says enforcement also was stepped up in South and West Maui.

In Maui County, drivers who use a hand-held mobile device while operating a motor vehicle can be cited under a county ordinance banning the use of such devices. The offense carries a $97 fine.

The move is part of a statewide crackdown on distracted drivers. Money collected from the fines will go into the state general fund.