Caption: A distracted driver looks away from the road while texting on his cell phone.
Distracted Drivers
University Police Participate in Statewide Effort to Curb Offenders
April 13, 2011 :: No. 117
What/When:
Drivers who use hand-held cell phones or send text messages are the focus of stepped-up law enforcement activities this month. Cal State Fullerton’s University Police are participating with other law enforcement agencies in Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Throughout April in Orange County, more than 225 local law enforcement agencies, plus 103 CHP area commands are conducting “zero tolerance” enforcement mobilizations as part of the effort.
Why:
The illegal practice of using a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving is not only a dangerous distraction, but can be expensive for those caught and issued tickets. The first violation costs a minimum of $159, and subsequent fines are $279, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
Quote:
“We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously,” said CSUF University Police Lt. John Brockie. “Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting officers on the road to enforce zero tolerance. Is that text message or cell phone call really worth $159?”
Stats:
Younger, inexperienced drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes, according to the OTS, which cites “inattention blindness” as the result of texting and phone use while driving. This spring, California is conducting the nation’s first statewide observational distracted-driving survey. Results of the survey are expected to be released later this month and posted online by the OTS.
Media Contacts:
John Brockie, University Police, 657-278-5479 or jbrockie@fullerton.edu
Paula Selleck, Public Affairs, 657-278-4856 or pselleck@fullerton.edu
