Nearly 100 Drivers Cited In Monrovia In April For Distracted Driving

MONROVIA, CA — Nearly 100 motorists were cited for distracting driving in the month of April in Monrovia during the high-visibility enforcement campaign in the city, police said.

The campaign was a clear message from law enforcement to drivers about the danger of distracted driving, the Monrovia Police Department aid.

“Using a hand-held phone for calls, texting or apps while driving is something we all know is dangerous and wrong, but too many drivers are doing it anyway. So when we see it, we show zero tolerance,” Monrovia police Lt Rob Wilken said.

The department issued 96 citations to violators of California’s distracted-driving law during the recent enforcement period. Under the law, it is illegal to hold and use a cell phone while texting, calling or using apps while driving. The phone must be affixed to the vehicle and may be operated in the hands-free mode using voice activation or used with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger.

“Distracted driving kills too many people for us to ignore the facts and pretend it’s okay. It is never acceptable to text and drive,” Wilken said.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, 3,477 people were killed, nationwide, and another 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015.

Offenders caught texting and driving will face tickets totaling at least $162 — higher for a second violation.

Even though the high-visibility enforcement period was over, officers will continue watching for distracted drivers.

This high-visibility campaign was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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