Chp Zero Tolerance Day 2011

California Highway Patrol officers cited 216 motorists on February 8th for violating California cell phone laws. 52 verbal warnings were issued and two motorists were arrested for DUIs while being stopped for cell phone violations. February 8th was designated “Zero Tolerance Day” by the CHP. Last year the Zero Tolerance period was for 2 days, with 588 citations. That doesn’t seem like a lot if you consider how large the state of California is and how many drivers there are.

CHP Zero Tolerance Day 2011

California law prohibits use of hand-held cell phones by all motorists. According to an article by Cathy Locke, SacBee.com, the law also forbids anyone younger than 18 years old from using any type of cell phone – hand-held or hands-free – while driving. Motorists also are prohibited from text messaging while driving.

Statewide citation figures are astounding. According to Ms. Locke, from July 2008 through December 2010, CHP officers issued 329,602 citations statewide to motorists who were in violation of the hands-free law and 5,100 citations for texting while driving, according to the CHP’s traffic records system. Cell phone violations carry a minimum base fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for the second offense. When court costs and other fees are added to the fines, the total cost of the violation exceeds $100 for the first offense, officials said.

To date, only 9 states have a hands free law. See my blog Driving and Talking is Only Banned in 9 States. 30 states prohibit texting while driving. Many states restrict teenage drivers from using cell phones entirely while driving, whether using a hands free device or not. State by state the laws vary, with some cities having stricter laws than the state in which they belong. Regardless of where you live, distracted driving is not a good idea, even if it isn’t against your state laws.

There is a wide spread campaign against distracted driving. Many legislators as well as President Obama are actively campaigning against distracted driving. Oprah Winfrey has a website dedicated to taking the No Phone Pledge. To date, 419,868 people have pledged. I just pledged. You can pledge too at Oprah’s No Phone Zone Pledge.

Whether you pledge or don’t pledge isn’t the question. The real question is “Do you text or use a cell phone while driving?” Save a life, maybe even your own. Be safe while driving.

By: CellPlaza

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