The local California Highway Patrol office is joining more than 200 law enforcement agencies across the state in high visibility enforcement operations during April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Four dates – April 3, 8, 17, and 22 – have been earmarked for special statewide enforcement for all the allied law enforcement agencies. Individual agencies will be looking for mobile device offenders in their areas on additional days throughout the month, as well. Officers will be ticketing anyone found driving while distracted.
Any activity that diverts the driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving is distracting, but the recent rise in cell phone use has greatly increased the number of collisions.
In 2013, the California Department of Motor Vehicles reported over 426,000 handheld cell phone and texting convictions, with more than 57,000 tickets issued in April alone.
The “It’s Not Worth It!” theme emphasizes that a phone call or text isn’t worth a hefty fine or a collision.
The ticket cost for a first time texting or hand-held cell phone violation is about $162, with subsequent tickets costing about $282.
According to research, sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. Even a three second glance at freeway speeds means a driver has traveled the distance of a football field.
The following tips can be implemented by any motorist to avoid falling victim to distracted driving behaviors:
- Turn off your phone or put it on silent mode, then put it out of reach while driving;
- Record an outgoing message on your phone that tells callers you’re driving and will get back to them when you’re off the road;
- Adjust controls and set your song playlist before you set out on the road;
- If it’s urgent, pull over in a safe place to place a call;
- Focus on driving, and avoid eating, drinking, reading, grooming, smoking, and any other activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road.
Get more distracted driving information at www.distraction.gov and teen information at www.impactteendrivers.org.
(Information via press release from the California Highway Patrol.)
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Phil says
It’s “supposed”. Attention police, be on the lookout for Anthony…he appears to be one of the uncoordinated ones.
Lancaster Citizen says
Thank you for cracking down on people driving while holding phones. I am constantly behind drivers distracted by phone calls or texting, instead of paying attention to the road. They sit at stop signs after they are green, they weave in traffic and they are very lucky to miss the kids, bicyclists and pedestrians also sharing the road.
Phil says
I agree…crack down on those uncoordinated people, for being dumb. But not us coordinated ones who can handle doing two things at once!!
Phil says
Great….more of the government telling us all how to behave. Some people can text/talk and drive with no problem. Leave the coordinated ones alone. Why a law just for cell phones? So I can look at my computer (with an air-card) while I drive, but I can’t use my phone…all while eating a breakfast burrito (and adding salsa to it)….what a joke.
Anthony says
Hey Phil…. how the hell are they suppose to know who the coordinated ones are? honestly thing about that one bud. I hear what you’re saying, some of us CAN chew bubble gum and walk, however there are even more that can’t. God forbid some guy adding salsa to his breakfast burrito hits someone you love while driving or even crossing the street, I’d love to see your response to that. Don’t be a part of the problem be a part of the solution. This campaign is targeted mostly at these teen drivers who are the ones that mostly text and drive, so the only joke is the comment you left.
bird says
Phil— not really! If you’re texting, eating a burrito, putting on makeup, or using your cell phone to talk, than you’re not completely focused on driving. Since you’re driving a potential weapon that can wipe someone else out, than why would you be so arrogant and self involved. Someone else might wipe you out while texting, eating a burrito, putting on makeup, or using their cell phone to talk.