Police Texting Crackdown: Maximum Enforcement Period in Effect

As part of Distracted Driving Month, police across Southern California will be ticketing for texting drivers, those holding a cellphone to their head or drivers whose attention wanders for any reason.

The Monrovia Police Department is joining in the effort as well.

Dozens of police agencies have planned targeted operations for April 3-16, which has been designated a maximum enforcement period. In neighboring Pasadena, Friday will be maximum enforcement day, according to Lt. Pete Hettema of Pasadena PD.

Fines start around $160, while a second offense can cost about $280. 

In April 2012 alone, about 57,000 people statewide got tickets for driving while distracted, and about 450,000 people were ticketed during the entire year. In 2011, about 3,300 people died nationwide in accidents involving at least one distracted driver, according to federal highway safety officials.

According to studies cited by law enforcement, young, inexperienced drivers are most susceptible to having an accident because of distracted driving. Drivers using any kind of handheld electronic device are about four time more likely to have a wreck than drivers who are not using them.