Friday, September 18, the San Luis Obispo Police Department will focus their efforts on drivers talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law.
You can be fined $162 for the first offense and at least $285 for a second offense.
Distracted driving comes in many forms, but cell phones remain the top distraction.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,450 people were killed in 2016 due to distracted drivers.
“Using the phone should be the last thing a driver should be focused on,” Sergeant Booth said. “That text, phone call, email, picture, video or social media post can wait. None of these things are worth risking your life and the lives of other drivers and passengers over.”
Other distractions include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, taking off a jacket or reaching for an object on the floor.
If you have an important phone call or need to reprogram your navigation system, SLO PD asks you pull over to a safe parking place.
