Santa Cruz CHP Will Catch You Texting and Driving in April

A cell phone can be the greatest temptation on the road. There's nothing like a phone call or a text to spice up a boring, long drive.

But we all know the dangers, and we all know the consequences phone use while driving can have on our wallets and driving records.

April is once again set to be Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and California Highway Patrol officers in Santa Cruz County are ready to crack down on violators.

In April of 2012, CHP officers in the county wrote 582 tickets for talking on the phone while driving. Another 55 citations were given for texting and driving and six other distracted driving tickets were handed out, according to CHP Officer Sarah Jackson.

"We would like to see zero violations of distracted driving laws here in Santa Cruz County," Jackson said.

She suggested the mantra "It's not worth it" to anyone tempted to pick up the phone while driving. 

On Feb. 21 of this year, two distracted drivers caused multi-car crashes on Highway 1. At 7:52 a.m., a Santa Cruz man was busy with his radio and caused a three-car pile-up. Two minutes later, a Ben Lomond man took his eyes off the road which resulted in multiple dented vehicles. Luckily, only one person was seriously injured in the accidents. 

Do you ever text and drive? Are you trying to stop? Do you see other people doing it? Tell us in the comments!