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The original item was published from 5/4/2022 9:11:00 AM to 7/5/2022 12:00:00 AM.

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Perris Station

Posted on: May 4, 2022

[ARCHIVED] Distracted Driver Awareness Month - Update

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Riverside County Sheriff's Department Press Release

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Kasim Bikul

File # N/A

Update:

Perris, Calif. – April was Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In effort to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. During the campaign, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Perris Station, issued approximately 50 citations related to California Vehicle Code violations, to include drivers who violated the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

Sergeant Bikul with the Perris Station kindly reminds everyone, “The April Distracted Driving Awareness enforcement campaign serves as an important reminder that a driver should be focusing on the road, not their phone. If you need to make a call or send a text, please pull over and park at a safe location.”

Under current law, using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Any second violation within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record. Drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or other electronic device while behind the wheel. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use a phone for any reason, including hands-free.

Funding for distracted driving enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Details:

Perris, Calif. – April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Perris Station, encourages drivers to give the phone a break and focus on the road.

Throughout the month of April, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department - Perris Station will have additional officers on patrol specifically looking for drivers who violate the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

“A driver’s primary focus should be on the road, not their cellphone,” Riverside County Sheriff’s Department - Perris Station, Sergeant Kasim Bikul said. “That text message, phone call, email, video, or social media post is not worth the risk put to yourself and other motorists.”

If you need to make a call or send a text, pull over and park at a safe location. Drivers should silence their phones or put the phone out of reach, such as the glove box or trunk. According to the 2020 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, more than 75% of surveyed drivers listed “Distracted Driving because of TEXTING” as their biggest safety concern.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or other electronic device while behind the wheel. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use a phone for any reason, including hands-free.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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