B Careful Where U Txt, Cop Sez

U shdnt txt & drive in April.

As part of California’s second annual Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Orange County police and deputies will join a statewide crackdown on drivers who send text messages or talk on cell phones without a hands-free device.

The minimum fine is $160, according to a Sheriff's Department press release.

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into serious crashes, officials said. And drivers under age 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.

In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver’s reaction time as much as being drunk, the press release said.

“California’s cell and texting laws have made a big difference – cutting deaths by nearly half. But half is not enough,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy.

To minimize distractions in the vehicle, police recommend several steps:

• Turn off your phone or put it out of reach before starting the car.
• Avoid calling or texting friends and family during their commutes to and from work or school.
• If you need to make an important call or respond to a text message, pull over to a safe place first.