Stow The Phone! Distracted Driving Enforcement Underway In La Quinta

LA QUINTA, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced Thursday it will conduct an enforcement operation next week focused on drivers violating the hands-free cell phone law.

The operation will be held March 15, according to the department.

"A driver's focus should be on the road, not their phone," Deputy Frank Mendoza said in a statement. "That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road."

The law indicates that drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or similar device while driving, according to Sgt. Mark Chlarson. Drivers who violate the law two times within 36 months of a being convicted of the same offense will have a point added to their record.

Authorities recommend drivers who need to make an important call or program directions to pull over to a safe parking spot and to silence their phone or put it somewhere unreachable before driving.

The California Office of Traffic Safety provided funding for the enforcement program through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.