Pasadena Police Launch Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign

The Pasadena Police Department has announced a focused enforcement campaign against distracted driving throughout April, which is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The initiative aims to prevent traffic accidents and fatalities by targeting drivers who violate California’s hands-free cell phone laws.

“Staying focused behind the wheel is something we can all do,” Lieutenant Anthony Russo said. “Distracted Driving Awareness Month is an important reminder that even a moment of inattention or a quick glance at the phone can lead to serious consequences. Distracted driving is not only risky; it is deadly. Stay focused, stay alert and help us keep our roads safe.”

According to the 2024 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly 74% of drivers identified texting while driving as their biggest safety concern.

In 2022, distracted driving claimed 148 lives in California traffic crashes, with experts suggesting the actual numbers may be higher. The numbers are likely underreported because law enforcement officers may not always be able to tell that distraction was a factor in a crash.

The Department will actively enforce California’s hands-free law, which prohibits drivers from holding phones or electronic communications devices while operating vehicles, even when stopped at red lights. This includes talking, texting, or using an app.

Penalties for violations include fines for first offenses. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine, and violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

Authorities recommend several preventive measures, including: put your phone away by silencing notifications and storing your phone where you can’t reach it while driving; plan ahead by setting your GPS, adjusting mirrors and finishing any tasks before you start driving; and keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road by avoiding eating, grooming or adjusting controls while driving.

Additional recommendations include being a role model by showing your passengers, especially young drivers, that focused driving is the norm; speaking up if you’re a passenger and see the driver distracted by kindly reminding them to stay focused; and pulling over if necessary when something urgent comes up by stopping in a safe place before responding.

The enforcement program receives funding through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, which is administered through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.