Expect Crackdown on Cellphone Use While Driving This Month

With tickets for violating the hands-free or no-texting laws at a minimum of $159, it might be a good idea to put away that cellphone while in the car.

As part of California's first Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, law enforcement officials, including those in Los Angeles County, are taking a zero-tolerance approach to drivers who are caught flouting the law.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, with help from more than 225 local agencies plus 103 California Highway Patrol Area Commands, is cracking down hard on violators this month.

"We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously," Capt. Shaun Mathers of the Sheriff's Risk Management Bureau said in a statement. "Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting officers on the road to enforce zero tolerance."

Here are some tips from the Sheriff's Department to minimize distractions:

• Turn your phone off or put it out of reach before starting the car.

• Alert callers that you are unable to take calls when driving by changing your voice-mail message.

• Make it a point not to call or text anyone who might be driving, such as during their commute to and from work or school, especially parents calling teen drivers.

• If you do need to make an important call or respond to a text message, pull over to a safe place to do so.

• If going "cold turkey" is too difficult and you just can't turn your phone off, consider using one of the available mobile phone apps that holds calls and incoming texts.