During the month of April a statewide effort is taking place to educate motorists about the dangers of distracted driving. The Fremont Police Department along with the California Highway Patrol and other local Law Enforcement Agencies will be vigilant for those drivers who are engaged in activities likely to cause distracted driving.
While the most common behaviors include talking on non-hands free cell phones and texting, other distractions cans can be reading maps, books and newspapers, eating, drinking, using computers, changing CD’s/radio stations, adjusting temperature, and even applying make-up. Essentially, anything that diverts a driver’s attention away from the primary tasks of navigating a vehicle and responding to critical events can prove to have devastating consequences.
The National Safety Council estimates 1.4 million traffic accidents occur annually due to distracted driving behaviors.
We want you to note while using hands-free technology is legal, the risks associated with being distracted while talking on them are ever-present. Parents and teens are also reminded that drivers under the age of 18 are precluded from even using hands-free technology while driving.
The Fremont Police Department will be proactively looking for violations throughout the entire month, but will also conduct dedicated enforcement emphasis on the following days:
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Thursday, April 3
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Tuesday, April 8
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Thursday, April 17
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Tuesday, April 22
Become familiar with the laws. Enforcement sections of the vehicle code include:
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CVC 23123(a) - Driving a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone that is not hands free listening and talking, except in an emergency situation.
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CVC 23123.5 (a) – Driving a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text based communication.
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CVC 23124 (a) – A person under the age of 18 shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, even if equipped with a hands free device, except for an emergency call.
The Fremont Police Department is highly committed to enforcing violations, such as distracted driving, that contribute to traffic collisions. This however can only be accomplished through the diligent awareness and cooperation of our community. We thank you for your partnership in helping to keep Fremont a safe place to live, work, drive and play.
