Zero Tolerance Patrol Looking for Distracted Drivers

West Hollywood drivers put away your cell phone while cruising down the Sunset Strip as a zero tolerance enforcement patrol is in full effect.

California Highway Patrol officers and allied L.A. County law enforcement officials will be out in force in the Los Angeles area Tuesday to make sure motorists are complying with laws against texting or using hand-held cell phones.

According to CHP, more than 30,000 Californians were involved in traffic collisions in 2008 which inattention played a role. More than 1,000 of the drivers identified a cell phone as the reason for their inattention.

 "If drivers put away all items that might distract them, then they'll have nothing to worry about," said Terry Liu, public information officer from CHP.

CHP says distracted driving is a serious, life-threatening practice. The California Highway Patrol will conduct another zero tolerance enforcement patrol in the Los Angeles area on Oct. 26.