South OC Times

The Sheriff's Department in Laguna Hills is taking measures to reduce distracted driving. On Monday, December 16, deputies will concentrate on drivers who are talking, texting, or using apps on their phones without hands-free devices. This activity violates California's cell phone law and carries fines of $162 for the first offense and at least $285 for subsequent offenses.

Cell phones remain a primary distraction for drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 3,450 fatalities occurred in 2016 due to distracted driving. A survey conducted by Fresno State and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) in 2018 found that nearly five percent of California drivers were illegally using their phones while driving.

Distracted driving includes various activities such as eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, removing a jacket, or reaching for objects on the floor. Drivers are advised to focus on the road and pull over safely if they need to make an important call or adjust navigation systems. To avoid phone distractions, it is recommended to silence the device or place it out of reach.

The operation aimed at enforcing distracted driving laws is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the NHTSA.