Stay Hands-Free While Driving In Newport Beach: Distracted Driving Enforcement Underway

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Drivers, put those cell phones away. The Newport Beach Police Department is conducting an enforcement operation on Friday focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law, Newport Beach Police Department Sgt. Sabrina Fabbri said in a recent news release.

"Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle," she said.

This includes talking, texting, or using an app. If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot.

Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

According to the department, using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a
driver’s record.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sgt. Fabbri said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.”

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