Full Notification

For Immediate Release
March 29, 2018
 
Contact:  Sergeant Scott Combs (310) 802-5166
                 Sergeant Tim Zins, PIO, (310) 802-5186
 
Date of Event:   April 2018
 
Subject/Topic:  Distracted Driving Awareness Month
 
Location:   Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266
                                               
Ten years after “hands-free” became law, drivers are using their cell phones less often while driving, but distracted driving remains a serious safety challenge in California.  Observing April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the first week in April as California Teen Safe Driving Week, safety advocates will focus on education and enforcement efforts statewide.
 
The Manhattan Beach Police Department will join law enforcement throughout the state to step up enforcement along with awareness efforts by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to discourage distracted driving.  Officers will be focusing on enforcing all cell phone and distracted driving laws this month. The goal is to increase voluntary compliance by drivers, but sometimes citations are necessary for motorists to better understand the importance of distracted driving. 
 
April 5^th and 13^th have been designated as the two statewide enforcement dates when law enforcement agencies will step up distracted driving enforcement activities.  The California Department of Transportation will put distracted driving messages on the changeable message signs on freeways during April.
 
Traffic officers have issued hundreds of thousands of citations over the past three years to those texting or calling on a hand-held cell phone. Recent legislation now makes it illegal to use your smartphone’s apps while driving.  Still, everyone has seen other drivers on a device driving in a dangerous manner next to them during a commute or a trip around town.
 
Smart phones are part of everyone’s lives now.  Texting, phone calls and posting on social media are nearly addicting but doing these things can have deadly consequences while driving.  Changing these dangerous habits will help make our roadways safer for everyone.”
 
The Manhattan Beach Police Department recommends the following Safety Tips:

• If you receive a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location, but ‘never’ on a freeway.  Once you are safely off the road, it is safe to text.
• Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.”  Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
• Cell phone use can be habit-forming.  Struggling to not text and drive?  Put the cell phone in the trunk or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your final destination.