Hang It Up! Newark Officers Crack Down on Drivers Using Cell Phones

If you’re behind the wheel, resist the urge to answer that text message.

Today, are joining 225 law enforcement agencies and 103 California Highway Patrol area commands as part of California’s first Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign.

According to a news release, officers will do more than issue verbal warnings for drivers who are using cell phones or texting behind the wheel on Monday, April 4 and Tuesday, April 5.

“We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously,” Sgt. Jonathan Arguello said in a news release. “Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are telling our officers to enforce this violation with zero tolerance. So remember, is that text or cell phone call really worth the fine?”

Officers say a first-time offense for using a cell phone while driving, unless using a hands-free device, costs a minimum of $159 and subsequent tickets cost at least $279.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation site, distraction.gov, more than 5,400 people were killed in 2009 traffic incidents caused by distracted driving. The website shows around 448,000 people were injured in vehicle collisions that involved distracted driving.

The federal website defines distracted driving as “any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.”