South OC Times

The Sheriff’s Department in Lake Forest is intensifying efforts to reduce distracted driving. On Monday, September 16, deputies will specifically target drivers engaged in activities such as talking, texting, or using apps on their phones without a hands-free device. These actions violate California’s cell phone law and are subject to fines of $162 for the first offense and at least $285 for subsequent offenses.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving resulted in 3,450 fatalities in 2016. A 2018 survey by Fresno State and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) revealed that nearly 5 percent of California drivers were illegally using their phones while driving.

"Distracted driving comes in many forms," noted an official statement from the Sheriff’s Department. Besides cell phone use, other distractions include eating, grooming, conversing with passengers, using GPS devices, adjusting the radio, removing a jacket, or reaching for objects on the floor.

The department advises drivers to pull over safely if they need to make an important call or reprogram their navigation system. To avoid temptation, it suggests silencing phones or placing them out of reach while driving.

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