Carlsbad, CA–April marks Distracted Driver Awareness Month. In recognition of the month, Carlsbad police in collaboration with the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Carlsbad Police Department will be enhancing distracted driving enforcement during the week of April 5 to 12.
Under the law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while driving. This includes talking, texting, emailing, or using any other phone app. Further, it is against the law for minor drivers to use phones at all – this includes hands-free. A driver cell phone violation is subject to a $157 fine for the first offense.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that in 2019, approximately 3142 people were killed because of distracted driving. An increase of 10% from 2018.
“Distracted driving is a serious, illegal, life-threatening, practice with a simple resolution, said Traffic Lieutenant Steve Thomas. “Put the phone down and don’t pick it up while driving.”
Thomas went on to say there are apps drivers can use that will silence their phone while driving and that distraction-free driving will make the roadway safer for all who travel on it.
It is also important to note – distracted driving is not just using the phone. It can also include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, etc. Anything that would distract a driver from the serious business of driving.
Funding for the program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
