Petaluma officers have issued twenty-nine citations this month as part of a targeted campaign to get drivers off their handheld devices.
The Petaluma Argus-Courier reports the stepped-up enforcement coincided with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and featured a humorous social media campaign to highlight the dangers of texting and scrolling behind the wheel. Under California law, any handheld use of a phone while driving is illegal and carries a fine for first-time offenders.
Police warn that a second violation within three years will add a point to your driving record, potentially spiking insurance premiums. Officer Chris Ricci says the goal isn’t just tickets, but a permanent change in behavior to keep local roads safe.
The safety initiative was funded by a state grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.
