The Santa Monica Police Department's Traffic Enforcement Section will be cracking down on drivers talking or texting on cell phones during the months of April, May and June, officials said Monday.
To avoid receiving a citation, injuring or killing someone, SMPD recommends drivers to:
• Turn off your phone and/or put it out of reach while driving.
• Include in your outgoing message that you can't answer while you are driving.
• Don't call or text anyone at a time when you think they may be driving.
• Adjust controls and set your song playlist before you set out on the road.
‚Ä¢ Stay alert and keep your mind on the task of driving — often after a long day at work or a not-so-restful night's sleep, people's minds can wander when behind the wheel. If you find yourself daydreaming — clear your head and focus on the road.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, talking on a cell phone or texting is the number one source of driver distractions, and 80 percent of vehicle crashes involve some sort of driver inattention.
For more information on what constitutes a violation, contact Sgt. Phillbo Rubish with the SMPD Traffic Section at (310) 458-8950, or Lt. Jay Trisler at (310) 458-8471.
