Texting While Driving Could Get You Pulled Over And Ticketed: LAPD Mounts April Crackdown

By Dennis Romero Fri., Apr. 1 2011 at 8:01 AM

amber10_79

Don't do it.

You got away with it too long, L.A.

Now the LAPD is on the war path for hardcore ... texters. That's right, this month the department is launching a crackdown on people who text and talk (headset to their ears) while they drive.

We wish this was an April Fool's joke (look elsewhere at The Informer for those). But no, the LAPD is :( serious. The good news:

The LAPD's enforcement for "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" doesn't start until Monday. So you have the weekend to think about it and put that iPhone down.

And if you think that because you live outside the city of L.A. you'll get a pass, think again. The department says 225 agencies and 103 CHP "area commands" across California are getting in on this.

From what we've seen out there, it'll be like shooting fish in a barrel.

LAPD traffic Lt. Ron Katono says:

We take the issue of distracted driving very, very seriously. The ongoing, irresponsible practice of drivers using their cell phones and texting has to stop. The practice is such a serious concern that the LAPD embraces the zero tolerance strategy and fully supports the Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Is a text message or cell phone call really worth risking injury or death?

The department claims that texting-and-driving can be as dangerous as drinking and driving and that drivers who use their phones behind the wheel are four times more likely to see serious injury in a crash.

You've been warned. And no, we're not going to text this to you.

Tags:

cellphones, distracted driving, driving, LAPD, Los Angeles, mobile phones, texting, texting while driving

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Rodney

A little self-control such as refraining from texting/talking especially when driving can never hurt anyone. There is always a time and place for such activities and while it is tempting to text or keep in touch with friends or family, doing it while you're supposed to keep both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road is multitasking at its worst. Driver distraction is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents and right now, there's nothing more distracting than a cell phone especially to younger people.

Big Mike

Its funny I see a lot of cops talking on their phones driving our we citizens allowed to ticket these officers for breaking their own law that they are paid to enforce? But seeing is how they are police they can easily void that ticket and thus not caring about their own laws. Its great that they need money and they can make us pay but it wont work the other way around.

Five-O

Hate to break it to you Big Mike, but emergency service professionals (including the police) are exempt from this law.

tom wattys

you dumb bitch

Lightnapper

Next LAPD ought to target all the bicycle riders utilizng the sidewalk instead of the street as the CA Vehicle Code mandates. Additionally, many bicyclists are travelling the wrong way. A very hazardous situation, especially since drivers are not geared to "SEE" a speeding object on the sidewalk or on the roadway heading in the wrong direction. Granted the sidewalk "seems" safer, but to whom? Pedistrians dodging bikes? Cars making left turns and suddenly being confronted with a bike heading into them, from the oppisite direction? I know this is article is about texting, cell phones, and distracted driving, but it is also about enforcement of vehicle codes. So how about it-- a little pro-active enforcement to aide all the responsible drivers who are daily faced with LA's reckless sidewalk bicycle carom course?

angeleno

FYI, the CA vehicle code does not mandate anything about cyclists and sidewalks except that it permits local municipalities to restrict bicycles use on sidewalks. The Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC 56.15) prohibits riding bicycles on sidewalks "with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property". (The only place bicycles are expressly prohibited from sidewalks is on Ocean Front Walk in Venice.) If you think it is safe for bicyclists to ride on all of the streets of Los Angeles, I would like to hear which roads you ride on. I commute on my bike and only use the sidewalks for busy streets (such as Wilshire), where riding on the street would be suicidal. Of course I am careful to warn and avoid pedestrians, and am always prepared to yield to turning cars at intersections despite having the right of way. Luckily for me, most people are far more humane and considerate than you seem to be. We should be encouraging bicycles in this traffic congested, polluted city. Instead, cyclists often feel as though we are not welcome on the streets or the sidewalks. Ideally, we would have bike lanes everywhere, but we don't.Thanks to all those who are kind enough to share the road!