Seal Beach PD to crack down on distracted drivers

POLICE

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Throughout April, the Seal Beach Police Department will ramp up its enforcement of people in violation of the state’s handsfree cell phone law. Focused enforcement operations will be conducted April 17-18.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” SBPD Chief Michael Henderson said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.”

People who need to make an important phone call or program directions should pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, drivers should either silence their phone or put it somewhere they can’t reach.

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