134 Cited During SMC Traffic Operation

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A traffic safety operation targeting "known trouble spots" in San Mateo County led to 142 traffic stops and 134 citations Tuesday, according to the sheriff's office.

The latest Saturation Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) was the second deployment of the year and primarily focused on drivers around Redwood City, Atherton and Menlo Park. The operation enlisted 16 deputies and officers from agencies across the county.

According to the sheriff's office, the most common infraction was texting while driving.

Here's the breakdown of citations issued Tuesday:

• 21 were issued for speaking on the phone while driving.
• 47 were issued for texting while driving.
• 9 were issued for failing to stop at a stop sign.
• 23 were issued for failing to obey a posted sign.
• 3 were issued for driving with expired vehicle registration.
• 5 were issued for not yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
• 1 was issued for a red light violation.
• 2 were issued for safety equipment violations (ie. seatbelt/car seat).
• 3 were issued for driving without a valid driver's license.
• 7 were issued for various vehicle equipment violations.
• 1 was issued for driver's license issues (change of address/DL not in possession).
• 17 were issued for speeding.
• 4 were issued for driving without vehicle collision insurance.
• 1 was issued for unsafe turning movement/lane change.
• 1 was issued for a carpool violation.
• And 2 were issued for driving with a suspended driver's license.

"The participating deputies and officers remained committed to making a high volume of traffic stops in this coordinated saturation effort while maintaining the highest levels of community awareness and professionalism," the agencies said in a joint news release. "These planned multi-agency saturation deployments will continue throughout San Mateo County in 2025."

San Mateo County's STEP partners include police departments in Atherton, Burlingame, Belmont, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Pacifica, San Mateo and Redwood City, along with the California Highway Patrol.