AAA launches new distracted driving awareness campaign

The Automobile Club of Southern California is kicking off National Distracted Driving Awareness Month (April) with the launch of a multi-year initiative aiming to make texting while driving as socially unacceptable as alcohol-impaired driving.

New public service announcements on television, radio and in-print will remind drivers, of all ages, about the deadly consequences of driving when distracted by cell phones.

Distracted driving kills an average of 9 people each day and injures 1,000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

It is the third leading driver-related cause of crash fatalities behind speeding and driving under the influence.

AAA is working with local law enforcement and will have more details at a news conference at 10 a.m. with Palm Springs Police and the California Highway Patrol.