Law Enforcement Agencies Cracking Down on Distracted Drivers

If you happen to be one of those motorists who takes the risk of using a cellphone or texting while driving, law enforcement agencies are watching you closely.

During the month of April, which is California's first Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department along with more than 225 other local agencies plus 103 California Highway Patrol Area Commands will be cracking down on motorists who use their cell phone or text while driving. 

"We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously." said Captain Shaun Mathers of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Risk Management Bureau. "Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting officers on the road to enforce zero tolerance.”

A ticket for violating either the hands-free or no texting law costs a minimum of $159, and subsequent tickets cost $279, according to the sheriff’s department.

Sheriff’s officials say distracted driving is a growing and very serious traffic safety issue that has already joined speeding and alcohol as leading factors in fatal and serious injury crashes. Statistics also show that drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.

Authorities believe it’s also important to point out that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations because both can result in "inattention blindness" which occurs when the brain isn't seeing clearly because the driver is focused on the phone conversation and not on the road. 

"We recognize that convincing drivers to refrain from using cell phones or texting while driving isn't easy," said Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy. "It's very difficult to resist the urge to check an incoming text or answer a cell phone call. That's why we are stepping up enforcement and public awareness efforts. Convincing California drivers to wear seat belts 20 years ago wasn't easy either, but in 2010 more than 96 percent buckled up and thousands of lives were saved." 

Here are some simple ways how drivers can minimize distractions in the vehicle: 

• Turn your phone off or put it out of reach before starting the car 
• Alert callers that you are unable to take calls when driving by changing your voicemail message. 
• Make it a point not to call or text anyone who may be driving, such as during their commute to and from work or school, especially parents calling teen drivers. 
• If you do need to make an important call or respond to a text message, pull over to a safe place to do so. 
• If going "cold turkey" is too difficult and you just can't turn your phone off, consider using one of the available mobile phone apps that holds calls and incoming texts.