Send a text message while driving and you risk life and limb -- not to mention a traffic ticket if you're caught.
That was the message Merced law enforcement agencies gave at a joint press conference Monday morning at the Atwater California Highway Patrol office.
Merced-area law enforcement agencies are planning increased enforcement of laws dealing with distracted driving through Saturday of this week, which is National Teen Drivers Safety Week.
Merced Sun-Star - California Highway Patrol (CHP) partnered with Allied Law Enforcement Agencies from left to right, Sgt. jeff Godfrey, UC Merced; Sgt. Ray Fong, Livingston PD; Don Vonarx, general manager of Riggs Ambulance; Sgt. Samuel Joseph, Atwater PD; Chief Norm Andrade, Merced PD; Chief Frank Pietro, Atwater PD; Rick Pruitt, president of Atwater Chamber of Commerce; Assistant Chief Willie Godinez, CHP; Capt. Michael Richard, CHP; Atwater Mayor Joan Faul, and Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin, throughout the Central Valley in an effort to crack down on distracted drivers on Monday morning, at the Merced CHP office in Atwater. They are all participating in a zero tolerance campaign aimed at citing drivers who are distracted by cell phone chat or text. The focus is on distracted drivers on cell phones or texting, which are both driving violations. The focus is also on areas near high schools during the beginning and ending of the school day.
Despite laws restricting the use of cell phones in cars enacted in 2008 and 2009, distracted driving remains an issue, said Mi-chael Richards, commander of the Merced CHP office.
Richards said his officers have responded to about 1,500 traffic collisions in the last year. Many of the accidents involved drivers distracted by cell phones.
Agencies will emphasize enforcement around high schools in Merced County, said John Patterson, spokesman for the Merced-area CHP.
"We're looking to crack down on distracted driving, for the safety of our kids," Patterson said. "So many people are not using hands-free devices, and for our teens who are new drivers, so much of their attention is needed for driving alone; driving while using a phone makes it that much more dangerous."
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