To bring the very deadly issue of distracted driving to the forefront the Elk Grove Police Department will be on specific lookout for violators during the entire month of April. The department will be hyper focused on those who choose to violate the law on April 4th & April 10th. The EGPD will be doing this in addition to their normal enforcement. The ultimate the goal is for everyone to stay focused, stay safe, and get off your phones and apps while driving.
Funding for distracted driving enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This focus is statewide so it includes local departments and the California Highway Patrol. The State of California defines this as “anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road, or hands off the steering wheel – especially when texting or using your phone.” California’s state laws are primarily focused on reducing accidents caused by the distractions from cell phones.
You don’t need to be a news junkie to know distracted driving is a problem. Here are a few statistics that demonstrate how serious it is in California:
- In a recent California Traffic Safety Survey, 59.6% of respondents reported that they had been hit or nearly hit by a driver who was talking or texting at the time.
- In 2015, a CA observational survey of cell phone and texting use by drivers found that 5.4% of drivers were observed using electronics while driving.
- That same survey, conducted in 2016, saw an increase to 7.6% of drivers distracted by electronics.
- Citations for handheld cell phone use are significantly above the state average in San Bernardino, Contra Costa, and San Joaquin Counties.
The “true cost” fine for violating California’s distracted driving laws is as follows:
- For a first offense: $162
- For any following offenses: $285
Points will be added to the driver’s record only if the driver had received another citation for distracted driving within the previous year and a half. A distracted driving citation in California can set you back a significant amount of money. Your insurance rates may also rise after a distracted driving citation conviction depending on which insurance company you have, your personal driving history, and the type of citation you were given. Points are only added to your driving record if you received a citation in the previous year and a half. Also, because you can be cited for “reckless driving” or “driving at a speed too fast for conditions” if you are pulled over for engaging in a distracted driving act such as eating or arguing with another passenger and this may also trigger a rise in your insurance rates. Is that text message really important enough to risk getting a ticket? If so, consider pulling over before you pull out your cell phone.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We would be honored to represent you!
