RivCo Sheriff To Target Distracted Desert Drivers In Friday Operation

LA QUINTA, CA — Sheriff's deputies in La Quinta will set up an operation to monitor for drivers violating California's hands-free cell phone law on Friday, Feb. 7, authorities said.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department said Friday that the operation will take place from 3 to 7 p.m., when deputies will scan for distracted drivers and those on their cell phones.

Nearly 72% of drivers surveyed said that their biggest safety concern was distracted driving caused by texting, according to a 2022 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Deputy Adrian Martinez said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.”

Some 56,000 tickets were issued in 2021 alone by the California Highway Patrol for distracted driving.

According to state law, drivers cannot hold a phone or any other electronic communications device while driving. This includes talking, texting or using an application. The crime is punishable by a fine. However, violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction could result in a point added to a driver's record, Menifee police said.

Drivers are urged to pull over to a safe parking spot to take important phone calls, texts or emails.

Other dangerous distractions include eating, grooming, reaching for something that fell on the floor, putting or taking off clothing, and talking with passengers or children in the back seat, police advised.

Funding for Friday's operation comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety.