Elk Grove Police Department
Press Release 

Public Information Office

916.627.3709 (Office) 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2020 

ELK GROVE PD FOCUSES ON

DISTRACTED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT

ELK GROVE, CA – During the month of September the Elk Grove Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers that are violating the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

Under the law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while driving. This includes talking, texting or using an app.

“Distracted driving is a serious issue, but one that can be easily solved simply by putting the phone down,” Lieutenant Eric White said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post can wait.”

A driver cell phone violation is subject to a $157 fine for the first offense.

Other distractions include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, taking off a jacket, reaching for an object on the floor or navigating a vehicle’s in-dash touchscreen.

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.

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

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