Full Notification

Nature of Incident: April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Report Number: N/A
Location: City of Moorpark
Date & Time: April 8, 2014
Unit(s) Responsible: Moorpark Police Department, Traffic Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age

Narrative:
The Moorpark Police Department along with other law enforcement agencies throughout the country are taking part in “Distracted Driver Awareness” during the month of April. The Moorpark Police Department will be enforcing cell phone laws with zero tolerance for distracted driving. Distracted driving continues to be a lead cause in traffic collisions causing serious injury and death. Each day in the United States, more than 9 people are killed and more than 1,060 people are injured in vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
Distracted driving activities include cell phone usage such as talking, texting, emailing, or browsing the Internet on a cell phone. Using in-vehicle technologies such as navigation systems and even stereos take driver’s attention from the road. Activities such as shaving and putting on makeup while driving can also be a source of distraction. Something as innocent as eating or manipulating food/drink while driving has shown to cause traffic collisions because of the driver’s attention being diverted away from the roadway.
The Moorpark Police Department is asking for your help to keep our streets safer by turning your cell phone off while driving and placing it out or reach. Use 100 % of your focus on driving your car and paying attention to the roadway and hazards around you instead of using a cell phone or other device that may distract you.
Throughout the month of April and with increased enforcement, the Moorpark Police Department hopes to persuade drivers to recognize the dangers of distracted driving and reduce the number of people seriously injured or killed on our roadways each and every day. The minimum cell phone citation fine is $161, with additional cell phone violations costing as much as $281.
Prepared by: Nolan Stoyko, Senior Deputy
Media Release Date: April 8, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Nolan Stoyko, Senior Deputy 805-532-2711
[email protected]

Approved by: Stephen Wade, Captain

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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