47 drivers cited for cell-phone violations

Officers cited 47 drivers for cell-phone violations during a task-force operation in Petaluma on Wednesday morning.

The drivers were cited between 7 and 10 a.m. during an operation that had been announced in advance, and which involved officers from the Petaluma Police Department and California Highway Patrol. Some drivers were cited for having cell phones in their hands, and others were texting.

“Despite the education and enforcement efforts of law enforcement and media, drivers continue to use their cell phones to talk or text while driving without (using) a hands-free device, creating dangerous situations for all motorists,” said Sgt. Ken Savano of the police department. “Drivers who are distracted or inattentive due to the use of a personal communication device without a hands-free set-up are responsible for a large number of traffic collisions.”

Since cell phone laws went into effect on July 1, 2008, Petaluma police officers have issued more than 900 citations; there have been only 29 collision investigations in the city that have determined that a cell phone was being used illegally at the time of a collision; and rear-end collisions have declined by nearly 10 percent, he added.

A survey conducted on Tuesday at the intersection of East Washington Street and North McDowell Boulevard showed that approximately 11 percent of the motorists were illegally using cell phones. A survey later in the day at the intersection of East Washington Street and Water Street revealed that more than 18 percent of the drivers were illegally using phones.

A follow-up survey will be conducted next week to ascertain the impact of the enforcement operation.

“Officers will continue to be on the lookout for cell-phone violators and issue citations to those drivers who do not use their devices safely,” Savano said.

Additional information on cell phone laws can be found at www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/media/cell_phone_faq.pdf.