Watch Out While Text-Driving Down Ventura! Wednesday Is Zero-Tolerance Day for Distracted Driving

Miki Henderson said she doesn't go a day driving along Ventura Boulevard without "seeing some yahoo texting or holding a phone to their ear." 

Gabriel Bermeo once a saw a woman doing her make-up while driving 86 mphs.

Just a few days ago, Claudia Wells caught someone driving down the freeway playing a recorder! (See: Practicing His Recorder on the Freeway—Seriously?!)

Police across Southern California are ticketing drivers for texting, holding a cellphone to their head or drivers whose attention wanders for any reason.

And Wednesday will be zero-tolerance day for distracted driving, when officers will give tickets only -- no warnings.

Fines start around $160. A second offense can cost about $280.

Dozens of police agencies have planned targeted operations for April 3-16, which has been designated a maximum enforcement period. 

In April 2012 alone, about 57,000 people statewide got tickets for driving while distracted, and about 450,000 people were ticketed during the entire year.

In 2011, about 3,300 people died nationwide in accidents involving at least one distracted driver, according to federal highway safety officials.

According to studies cited by law enforcement, young, inexperienced drivers are most susceptible to having an accident because of distracted driving. Drivers using any kind of handheld electronic device are about four time more likely to have a wreck than drivers who are not using them.

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