LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Starting Monday and throughout the month, the LAPD will join statewide agencies in conduction "zero-tolerance" enforcements on distracted driving, officials said.
April has been named Distracted Driving Awareness Month in the state of California as an effort to remind drivers of often ignored statewide legislation against using cell phones while driving.
Kicking off at 6 a.m. on Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department is joining forces with over 225 local agencies along with the California Highway Patrol to step up enforcements.
“We take the issue of distracted driving very, very seriously.” said LAPD Lieutenant Ron Katona. "The ongoing, irresponsible practice of drivers using their cell phones and texting has to stop. "
Statistics have shown that using a cell phone or texting while driving is a leading factor in fatal and serious injury traffic collisions, ranking as high as speeding and driving under the influence.
Studies revealed that texting is as detrimental to a driver's reaction time as having the blood alcohol content of a drunk driver.
They also showed that drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.
“We just want drivers to use some common sense when they’re behind the wheel and focus on driving,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy.
“Think about the vast majority of calls and texts you send or receive every day. Were any really worth a crash, injury or death? It’s just not worth it.”
April has been named Distracted Driving Awareness Month in the state of California as an effort to remind drivers of often ignored statewide legislation against using cell phones while driving.
“We take the issue of distracted driving very, very seriously.” said LAPD Lieutenant Ron Katona. "The ongoing, irresponsible practice of drivers using their cell phones and texting has to stop. "
Statistics have shown that using a cell phone or texting while driving is a leading factor in fatal and serious injury traffic collisions, ranking as high as speeding and driving under the influence.
Studies revealed that texting is as detrimental to a driver's reaction time as having the blood alcohol content of a drunk driver.
They also showed that drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.
“We just want drivers to use some common sense when they’re behind the wheel and focus on driving,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy.
“Think about the vast majority of calls and texts you send or receive every day. Were any really worth a crash, injury or death? It’s just not worth it.”
