A motorist uses a cell phone while driving in Sacramento on Tuesday. Bee photo by Randall Benton.
By Bill Lindelof
blindelof@sacbee.com
The first zero tolerance cell-phone day in the Sacramento area resulted in 345 tickets for talkative drivers.
Police and the California Highway Patrol dedicated Tuesday to focusing on drivers talking or texting on a cell phone that is not a hands-free device.
On Tuesday, the officers issued 345 citations for talking on the cell phone while driving. The officers also handed out seven citations for texting while driving.
The CHP handed out 147 of those tickets for cell-phone conversations and allied police departments wrote 198 tickets for the same offense.
The crackdown was conducted by the CHP and by the Sacramento, Elk Grove, West Sacramento, Roseville, Galt, Twin Rivers, Lodi, Ripon and Rancho Cordova police departments.
Another crackdown by CHP and police departments is planned for Aug. 18.
"If you are one of those who can't resist answering that cell phone, we will be out in force again," said CHP officer Adrian Quintero.
Cell-phone violations carry a minimum fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for the second. When court costs and other fees are added, the total can exceed $100 for a first offense, the CHP said.
Cell phones are the leading cause statewide of crashes by inattentive drivers, the CHP said.
Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.
Previous coverage:
Drivers hang up fast during Sacramento-area cell phone crackdown - Aug. 11, 2010
CHP, police to target drivers using cell phones - Aug. 7, 2010









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