Distracted driving crackdown begins

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The San Diego County Sheriff's Department and
California Highway Patrol Monday began a crackdown on motorists who use their
cellphones to talk without hands-free devices or text while driving.

The crackdown will run from today through Saturday, according to a
Sheriff's Department statement.

Motorists caught talking without a hands free device or texting on their
cell phones will be cited — 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 injure themselves.