Police officers across New Jersey will soon begin targeting distracted drivers with hefty fines for those who text and drive as part of a national crackdown.

The national "U Drive. U Text. U Pay" enforcement campaign starts Sunday and will include new strategies to crack down on motorists who text behind the wheel, according to the Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

The Attorney General's office warns that distracted drivers could face fines of $200 to $400 for a first offense and could increase to $800 and three insurance points in subsequent violations.

The statewide initiative comes in April as a part of National Distracted Driving Month.

This is the fourth year that law enforcement has engaged in the campaign that includes "roving police patrols, spotters on highway overpasses, and stationary police vehicles prominently placed at strategic locations," according to the Attorney General's office.

Last year, the crackdown in New Jersey resulted in more than 15,000 summonses for cell phone use or texting and 7,000 for careless driving, according to a report from the Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

The campaign runs through April 21.

Alexis Johnson may be reached at ajohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @alexisjreports. Find her on Facebook.