By Tony Bizjak
tbizjak@sacbee.com
The California Highway Patrol and several Sacramento-area city police departments today launched one of the first crackdowns in the state on motorists who illegally talk on handheld cell phones or text while driving.
Officers in Sacramento, Elk Grove, West Sacramento, Roseville, Galt and Rancho Cordova are participating in what CHP officials call "zero-tolerance" patrols involving cell phones, much like similar efforts targeting seatbelt non-compliance and speeding.
Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow said the Sacramento crackdown and one in the Bay area today are aimed at what has become the main cause of distracted driving on the road.
Officials estimate 1,200 collisions statewide have been caused by cell phone drivers in the two years since the state banned handheld cell phone use by drivers. Those collisions resulted in 16 fatalities and 850 injuries.
CHP commissioner Farrow said motorists have had plenty of time to become aware of the law, and to switch to hands-fee cell phones. Officials decided in recent meetings it is time to get tougher on drivers who flout the law.
"We are trying to reaffirm that there is a law on the books," Farrow said. "The first year of the law, there was a transition period. People were buying headsets and moving to hands-free. Many people have adapted and we appreciate that. But, as I'm driving home, I see so many people still on cell phones.
"We would rather have voluntary compliance, but that is not the case."
Farrow said he expects CHP offices in other parts of the state to follow Sacramento and the Bay area's lead and institute zero-tolerance days of their own soon.
Sacramento agencies plan a second crackdown day on Aug. 18.
Call The Bee's Tony Bizjak, (916) 321-1059.
Previous coverage:
CHP, police to target drivers using cell phones - Aug. 7, 2010
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