Do You Text, Talk and Drive?

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. As a result, the California Highway Patrol has asked law enforcement agencies throughout the state to focus enforcement efforts on drivers using hand-held cell phones, texting and other distractions throughout the month.

California's slogan — "It's Not Worth It" — is geared to convey that no text, phone call or other distraction is worth a collision, injury or death.

"Every single time someone takes their focus off the road — even if just for a moment — they put their lives and the lives of others in danger," said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who said he's made combating cell phone use behind the wheel his personal crusade.

"Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible, and, in a split second, its consequences can be devastating. There's no call or email so important that it can't wait," LaHood added.

In Rohnert Park, the consequences of distracted driving is sobering: , and since, the toddler's parents have been pushing hard to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.

They've taken the cause to local, state and federal policy makers — demanding for stricter laws and fines for violations. (The highest fine is just $280 in Sonoma County. )

In response, local police are ramping up enformement. A $73,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety has allowed officers here to .

We want to hear from you: Is it worth it? Do you talk, text and drive? How often? Will more enforcement change your behavior?

For those of us unwilling to admit that we do it (you know who you are), vote in our poll below — no names attached! Comment below about your habits and how much increased enforcement will change your behavior.

Here are some related facts and figures, from the state Office of Traffic Safety:

• 80 percent of vehicle crashes involve some sort of driver inattention.
• Texting takes your eyes off the road for an average 5 seconds — long enough to travel the length of a football field at 55mph. Most crashes happen with less than three seconds reaction time.
• More than 3,000 people died in the U.S. in 2010 due to distracted driving. 

For more information and to find out how you can get involved, visit DistractedDriving.gov.