You got away with it too long, L.A.

Now the LAPD is on the war path for hardcore … texters. That's right, this month the department is launching a crackdown on people who text and talk (headset to their ears) while they drive.

We wish this was an April Fool's joke (look elsewhere at The Informer for those). But no, the LAPD is 🙁 serious. The good news:

The LAPD's enforcement for “Distracted Driving Awareness Month” doesn't start until Monday. So you have the weekend to think about it and put that iPhone down.

And if you think that because you live outside the city of L.A. you'll get a pass, think again. The department says 225 agencies and 103 CHP “area commands” across California are getting in on this.

From what we've seen out there, it'll be like shooting fish in a barrel.

LAPD traffic Lt. Ron Katono says:

We take the issue of distracted driving very, very seriously. The ongoing, irresponsible practice of drivers using their cell phones and texting has to stop. The practice is such a serious concern that the LAPD embraces the zero tolerance strategy and fully supports the Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Is a text message or cell phone call really worth risking injury or death?

The department claims that texting-and-driving can be as dangerous as drinking and driving and that drivers who use their phones behind the wheel are four times more likely to see serious injury in a crash.

You've been warned. And no, we're not going to text this to you.

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