Eight years ago it became illegal in Nevada to use a cell phone while driving, but that didn't stop distracted driving collisions. 

The Nevada Highway Patrol says these crashes are on the rise and now the attentive eyes of the law are on the lookout.

           

“We see them out there. You've got your head down and you're looking at your lap. And you're just not focused on the road when you’re driving. With more portable technology than ever before, we know that distracted driving has risen," said NHP trooper Trooper Hannah DeGoey. 

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Board, distracted teen driving accounts for 58 percent of teen collisions.

Experts say distracted driving is roughly the same as impaired driving.

“We know it's getting worse because you know, you've got  cell phones and people fiddling with their stereos, we have so many things that are portable know that it just seems to be a constant issue," said DeGoey.

NHP, along with every other law enforcement agency, will step up their efforts to find those distracted drivers and hand out plenty of hefty fines through Jan. 24.

Drivers are urged to put down that phone whenever getting behind the wheel.