VIDEO: Banning PD Join Statewide Crackdown on 'Zombie Drivers'

Banning police are taking part in a month-long campaign against distracted drivers, and Tuesday is a designated crackdown date.

"During the month of April, OTS has asked Banning PD to participate in the Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign," Sgt. Ray Arretche said in a statement. "This is a month long campaign, but there are two statewide 'Zero Tolerance' enforcement crackdown dates, April 3, 2012 and April 18, 2012."

Agencies including Banning PD will be taking enforcement actions for cell phone use, texting, teen distracted driving, and other vehicle code violations associated with distracted driving behaviors during all shifts, Arretche said.

A first-time ticket for texting or talking while driving is a minimum of $159, and subsequent citations will start at $279 per violation, according to the .

Drivers who spend more time paying attention to their cell phones than driving are so dangerous the California Highway Patrol and the state Office of Traffic Safety are making efforts to portray them as "zombies."