Law enforcement to crackdown on drivers using cell phones, texting next week

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Beginning Monday, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol will crack down on motorists who use their cellphones to talk without hands-free devices or text while driving.

The zero-tolerance enforcement will run from Monday, Feb. 13 through Saturday, Feb. 18, according to a statement issued by the sheriff’s department today.

Motorists caught talking without a hands-free device or texting on their cell phones will receive a ticket that costs a minimum of $159 for a first offense and $279 for repeat offenders.

“We take distracted driving very seriously,” sheriff’s Lt. David Gilmore said. “Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting deputies and officers on the road to target offenders.”

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injury themselves.