CARSON CITY, Nev. - The Nevada Highway Patrol issued nearly 12,000 traffic citations to motorists observed talking, texting or reading non-voice communication while driving on the state's highways in 2012, officials said Wednesday.

According to a statement from Trooper Chuck Allen, 30 of the offenders received a second citation for the same offense, 25 of whom were witnessed on their phone for a third time and cited once more.

The total fine for a first-time offense is $112, according to Nevada law, with zero points against a driver's license, while the second, third and subsequent offenses each have four demerit points added to the monetary fine, Allen said.

When convicted, a second offense will cost a violator $192, while third and subsequent offenses each cost $352.

Although many were talking with a hand-held phone next to their ear while driving, Allen said many of those cited were observed texting, reading non-voice communication or scrolling through their phone. Motorists most often broke the law while stopped, such as at a traffic signal light.