Police Ticket Nearly 6,000 Bay Area Drivers for Distracted Driving

A band of Rohnert Park residents have been calling for drivers to put down their phones and pay attention to the road for the last two years, and now law enforcement here and throughout the Bay Area seem to be paying attention.

Distracted driving is the problem, and that's what led to the in December 2010, when and her mother in the early evening hours as they left Sunrise Park and attempted to walk across the street in a crosswalk.

According to data released Friday, cell phone calls, texts and other distractions on the road earned nearly 6,000 Bay Area motorists citations from the California Highway Patrol in April. And, the Associated Press has reported that 30,000 were issued statewide.

The 5,900 citations to drivers throughout the region came during the CHP's "It's Not Worth It" campaign to remind the public of the dangers distracted driving poses as part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, according to CHP officials.

"We were overwhelmed with the support here in the Bay Area," CHP Chief Teresa Becher said in a statement. "Our allied law enforcement agencies as well as many other public and private entities in the community stepped forward to make a difference. Some made a pledge, others posted the message on electronic signs or in front of businesses, and for those that would not comply there was enforcement."

However, despite April's campaign, Becher said the CHP observed many motorists engaging in unsafe distractions while driving. In one instance, an officer responding to a major injury accident with emergency lights and siren on had to move around a vehicle that would not change lanes.

"The person was texting and never noticed the officer's presence," the chief said.

Do you notice drivers texting and driving often? Do you care? Does it bother you?

This article is by Bay City News and Angela Hart.