Crime & Safety

Police Crack Down on Cell Phone Use While Driving

San Rafael police officers will participate in a statewide effort to enforce a zero tolerance for cell phone use while driving.

Watch out if you use your cell phone while driving. San Rafael police officers will be cracking down on drivers who text, call or use their mobiles while on the road through April as part of “Distracted Driving Awareness Month.”

“We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously,” Chief Matthew Odetto said. “Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting officers on the road to enforce zero tolerance.”

The San Rafael Police Department is part of a statewide effort to stress the dangers of distracted driving that involves over 225 agencies and 103 California Highway Patrol officers. That means no texting, no calls and no using GPS to navigate.

San Rafael will be deploying traffic officers above the usual staffing for intensive enforcement on April 4 and April 5, according to police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher. Drivers who are cited face tickets of a minimum of $159.

“Is that text message or cell phone call really worth $159?” Odetto asked.



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