Breaking CA Distracted Driving Laws Becomes More Serious July 1

CALIFORNIA — Distracted Driving Awareness Month has arrived, and in just a few short months when California Assembly Bill 47 takes effect, breaking distracted driving laws gets more serious.

Throughout the month of April, the California Highway Patrol, California Office of Traffic Safety and Impact Teen Drivers are working together to remind Californians of the dangers of not giving the road their full attention when behind the wheel, the agencies said Thursday in a news release.

"Distracted driving is a serious issue that is 100 percent preventable," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. "That text, phone call, or social post is never more important than the task of driving."

Existing law provides an exemption for using a cell phone while driving if the device was designed to be hands-free and was being used in that way. Starting July 1, however, if a driver receives a second violation within 36 months for using a handheld cell phone or texting while driving, they will be fined and it will add a point to their driver's record.

Distractions, however, are not limited to cell phones; other electronics, children, pets, and eating or drinking while driving can also divert attention and result in a crash, authorities said. In 2019 in California, there were at least 18,698 crashes from distracted driving that resulted in 108 deaths and more than 13,500 injuries.

"Driving safely requires your full attention," CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. "Distractions put you and others on the road at risk. Together, with our traffic safety partners, enforcement, and the cooperation of the motoring public, we can save lives and eliminate this dangerous behavior on California’s roadways."

California Teen Safe Driving Week

As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the first week of April is California Teen Safe Driving Week. Throughout the week, CHP and ITD will place an increased emphasis on informing California’s newest drivers about the dangers and consequences of reckless and distracted driving.

"Parents, your kids have been watching you drive since they were in a forward-facing car seat,” Kelly Browning, executive director of ITD, said. "Your driving habits will become their driving habits — be the driver you want your kids to be."