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The California Highway Patrol on Tuesday will conduct the second zero-tolerance enforcement this month of the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

A similar campaign on Aug. 11 resulted in 300 Bay Area drivers being cited by the CHP, and more than 350 other drivers being cited by other Bay Area law enforcement agencies, according to the CHP.

The law, which went into effect last year, prohibits drivers from using cell phones while driving, except for hands-free devices. Those under age 18 are banned from using any cell phone while driving.

Fines for first-time offenses range from $120 to $150, according to the CHP.

CHP spokesman Sgt. Trent Cross said the campaign is intended to educate the public about the dangers of driving while distracted. He said additional enforcements are planned in the future.

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  1. It’s about time they start getting serious with this. I am seeing way to many people still driving with their cell phones in their hands. They try to “hide” it by holding it in their right hand. Thanks CHP and other law enforcement agencies!

  2. I am thrilled that the CHP and other law enforcement agencies are taking a stand regarding driving while on cell phones. I am shocked to see how many are not abiding by the law. Every time I am out driving, I see numerous people using their cell phones, with not a care in the world that they are not playing by the rules. Even crazier, I was driving on 880 on Sunday and saw a man driving, no speeding, with his left foot out the driver’s window! Yesterday, while driving on 580, I observed a woman merging onto the freeway holding a hamburger box with her left hand while touching the steering wheel and eating a huge burger with her right hand! I hope that the crackdowns of violators will make others think twice before breaking the rules of the road. I wonder sometimes . . .

  4. I would feel better if I didn’t see law inforcement using their cell. Do they make their own laws. And yes I know they are exempt if using in the course of businessbut are they? By the way I saw an officer the other day not wearing his seat belt. Whats that.

  6. Peter,

    Police Officers are exempt from wearing seatbelts while on patrol just like Taxi driver are exempt when they have a fare.

    Some Departments make officers wear seatbelts while on patrol. I wear mine all of the time just becasue it’s safer.

  7. I been seeing driver holding he/she cell while driving. Sometimes on my left and right side their on cell.(Especially between Stoneridge and Owens, Pleasanton) I hope CHP will catch those people…people ignoring it and that cause accident.

  8. Unfortunately, today (Aug 27 AM) I saw a CHP Officer talking on his cell phone held up to his ear while driving. He had an ‘Out of Service’ sign on his back passenger window.. southbound at the Santa Rita/West Las Positas intersection, turning left onto West Las Positas as children were walking to school. It is bad enough that many Officers don’t use their turn signals and reinforce the inconsideration of all the idiots that do the same. Now this?

  9. cops lay there lives on the line every day and they earn more freedoms than you and I enjoy. When you see a cop using his/her phone why don’t you wave and thank them for their service?

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