Despite its limitations, however, Tuell said the law was “long overdue.”

“We appreciate the fact that we have solid ground to stand on to take enforcement action on texting and driving,” he said.

Police had no set number in mind for citations issued during the first year. However, Tuell said the final total — with October included — can be used as a benchmark to set goals for the next year. If 2017 has more tickets than this year, for instance, the department can use that information to brainstorm ways to educate the public and cut down on the number of violations.

Tuell also said it’s likely by chance that September had more than double the number of citations issued than any other month. He wasn’t aware of any directive for increased enforcement of the texting ban.

Upholding the law can be particularly difficult for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, which lacks unmarked patrol vehicles, Capt. Paul Timmons said.

“It’s one of those deals where it’s hard to catch people in the act when you drive a marked police unit,” Timmons said.

OHP spokesman Dwight Durant said the ultimate goal of the ban is to reduce the number of citations until the problem no longer persists.