Visalia

California’s hands-free cell phone law has placed many south Valley drivers in hot water.

The Visalia Police Department conducted a distracted driving enforcement operation Thursday that resulted in 29 drivers cited for hands-free cell phone violations.

“Despite repeated efforts to warn drivers about the hands-free cell phone law, some drivers continue to use their phones while operating a vehicle,” Visalia officer Derek Neece said in a statement.

California has had distracted driving laws on the books since 2008. Hands-free cell phone laws prohibit holding or operating a phone while driving, even when stopped in traffic.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold their phone or other electronic devices. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a possible fine of $150 to $250, police said.

According to Neece, 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 added to a driver’s record.

Police recommend drivers that if they have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot and either silence their phone or place it somewhere in their vehicle where they can reach it before getting on the road.

Visalia Police Department said the funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In 2022, 148 people were killed in California in crashes involving a distracted driver, a decrease of 5.1% from 2021, according to OTS.

In the United States, a total of 3,275 people were killed in car crashes involving distracted drivers in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to the state’s office of traffic safety, mobile devices remain the biggest distraction for drivers, whether it is texting, talking on the phone, or using apps.

“Our ultimate goal is to change behaviors that help make our roads safer,” Neece said.