San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies will be on the lookout all month for distracted drivers, meaning texting, talking on the phone, eating, reading, applying make-up – all those things that can make you take your eyes off the road and the end game, which is to arrive at your destination safely.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the public awareness campaign has some teeth to it. If you are caught violating California’s cellphone laws, you will be cited and face a minimum fine of $161 with subsequent violations being higher.
“We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously,” said Sheriff Bill Gore. “Not only is texting and driving dangerous, it’s against the law and 100 percent preventable.”
A driver that texts or uses a hand-held cellphone can cause a crash that leads to serious injuries or even death. Deputies will have a “zero tolerance” policy toward drivers caught using a hand-held cellphone.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were more than 426,000 handheld cellphone and texting convictions in the state in 2013. More than 57,000 tickets were issued in April alone.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were more than 426,000 handheld cellphone and texting convictions in the state in 2013. More than 57,000 tickets were issued in April alone.
