• Community Events
  • Home
  • Employment
  • Local
    • Central San Diego
    • North County
    • East County
    • South Bay
    • Northeastern
    • Riverside County
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • Television
    • Art
    • Theater
    • Film
    • Events
    • Theme Parks
    • Podcast/Radio
    • Museums
    • Books
  • Business
  • National
  • Politics
  • Science & Technology
    • Computer
    • Science
    • Space
  • Sports
  • Environment
    • Clean Air
    • Climate change
    • Land
    • Ocean
    • Pollution
    • Recycling
  • Health
    • Health Business
    • Health Education
    • Medical
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Senior Life
    • Society

San Diego County News

Independent publication serving San Diego County

Oceanside Police Department Issues 256 Citations For Distracted Driving

May 11, 2019 By sdcnews

OCEANSIDE–The Oceanside Police Department cited 256 drivers for violating California’s hands-free cell phone law as part of a larger effort to educate the public on the dangers of distracted driving.

“April was Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and it is important for drivers to understand the huge risks they take using their cell phones behind the wheel,” said Oceanside Police Department Sgt. Davis. “It’s careless, dangerous and illegal. Drivers should keep their eyes on the road, not their phone.”

Under the most recent cell phone law that went into effect in 2017, drivers are prohibited from having a phone in their hand for any reason and can only use their phone in a hands-free manner. The phones must be mounted on the dashboard, windshield or center console, and can only be touched once with the swipe or tap of a finger to activate or deactivate a function. First-time offenders face a $162 fine.

A 2018 observational survey by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) on driver cell phone use found about 4.5 percent of drivers are still using their cell phone, and more often to perform a function on the phone, versus talking.

“When drivers look down at their phone to read or sent a text, check GPS or scroll through social media, they are taking their eyes off the road, which is incredibly dangerous,” Sgt. Davis stated. “There is a reason it is against the law.”

If you need to make a call or text someone, the Oceanside Police Department suggests pulling over and parking at a safe location. If you are unable to resist the urge and stay off the phone while driving, put your phone in a place you can’t reach, like the backseat or trunk.

In addition to phones, other serious distractions include eating, grooming, reaching for fallen objects, fiddling with the radio or console controls and changing clothes. The Oceanside Police Department encourages everyone to avoid distractions and go safely.

Funding for distracted driving enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

40

SHARES
Share on Facebook
Tweet
Follow us

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Local, North County Tagged With: Local news, North County


Support Independent Journalism



Trending

  • Bi-national operation near border yields rifle, ammunition, makeshift ladders
  • North Island Credit Union launches book drive to benefit Local Title 1 schools
  • San Diego Foundation awards $3.5 million in scholarships to local college students
  • Vessel operator, chief engineer convicted for oily bilge water discharge offense
  • Draft amendment to SDG&E habitat conservation plan available for public review, comment

Advertisement

Good Sam Travel Assist

Advertisement

Start LLC today at incorporate.com

Education

San Diego Foundation awards $3.5 million in scholarships to local college students

By … [Read More...]

Environment

Draft amendment to SDG&E habitat conservation plan available for public review, comment

By … [Read More...]

Science & Technology

NASA reveals Webb Telescope’s first images of unseen universe

The … [Read More...]

Advertisement

Independence Day Savings! Save up to $25◊ off our Fees on Flights Use Coupon USA25.

Advertisement

Stacy Adams

Advertisement

Summer Membership offer

Advertisement

Naturepedic

Categories

  • About Us
  • Archive
  • Community Events
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Private Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow @SanCounty

Privacy Policy

Terms of service

Copyright © 2022 San Diego County News