Tag: Distracted Driving

BHPD Focused On Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April 1, 2026 ·

BEVERLY HILLS—April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) is reminding drivers to stay focused, keep their eyes forward, and keep their hands on the wheel. Distractions like checking a phone, using the in-dash touchscreen or car phone app, adjusting the radio, or eating can have devastating consequences.

“Distracted driving continues to put everyone on the road at risk,” said Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark G. Stainbrook. “When drivers take their eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, lives can change forever. We’re reminding our community that safety starts with each of us. Put the phone down, limit distractions, and help people get home safely.”

According to the 2025 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly 71.4 percent of drivers surveyed said that distracted driving, caused by texting or checking a phone, was their biggest safety concern. In 2023, there were 158 people killed in distracted driving crashes in California, a 6.8 percent increase from the previous year.

BHPD will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or other electronic device while operating a vehicle, even when stopped at a red light. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving can result in a fine, and if a driver violates the hands-free law a second time within 36 months of a previous conviction for the same offense, an additional point will be added to their record.

Simple steps to stay focused and protect everyone on the road include:

  • Put your phone away: Silence notifications and store your phone where you can’t reach it while driving.
  • Plan ahead: Set your GPS, adjust mirrors, and finish any tasks before you start driving.
  • Keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road: Avoid eating, grooming, or adjusting controls while driving.
  • Be a role model: Show your passengers, especially young drivers, that focused driving is the norm.
  • Speak up: If you’re a passenger and see the driver distracted, kindly remind them to stay focused.
  • Pull over if necessary: If something urgent comes up, stop and park in a safe place before responding.

Funding for distracted driving enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

By Danny Jones

SMPD Focused On Dangers Of Distracted Driving

March 9, 2026 ·

Photo courtesy of Alexandre Boucher.

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica announced on its website that during the month of March, the Santa Monica Police Department will focus on the dangers of distracted driving.

The Police Department will conduct an enforcement operations focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. 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.

The SMPD is alerting drivers who have an important phone call or need to program directions, should pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

By Danny Jones

BHPD Will Be Looking For Distracted Drivers

April 7, 2023 ·

BEVERLY HILLS—Law enforcement with the Beverly Hills Police Department announced in a news release that the month of April is Distracted Driver’s Awareness Month and officers will be actively looking for drivers who are violating the state’s hand’s free cell phone law. 

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. 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.

According to the 2022 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly 72 percent of drivers surveyed said that distracted driving because of texting was their biggest safety concern. In 2021, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued nearly 56,000 citations for distracted driving.

“Holding your phone and using it while driving is not only dangerous but also illegal,” said Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark G. Stainbrook. “Before starting the car, silence your phone or put it in the glove box, trunk, or back seat. Anywhere you can’t reach.”

If you have an important phone call, text, email, or are in a situation with other distractions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Other distractions can be eating, grooming, reaching for something that fell on the floor, putting on or taking off clothing, and talking with passengers or children in the back seat.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three main types of distracted driving: visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual distraction is when a driver takes their eyes off the road, manual is when a driver takes their hands off the wheel, and cognitive is when the driver takes their mind and attention off the road. 

In the United States, over 3,100 people were killed and about 424,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019, according to the CDC. About 1 in 5 of the people who died in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019 were not in vehicles, they were walking, riding their bikes, or otherwise outside a vehicle.

Some groups are considered more at risk for distracted driving. In a 2019 survey, 39 percent of high school students who drove in the past 30 days texted or emailed while driving on at least one of those days. Texting or emailing while driving was more common among older students than younger students and more common among White students (44 percent) than Black (30 percent) or Hispanic students (35 percent) according to the same survey. 

Students who texted or emailed while driving were also more likely to report other transportation risk behaviors. Those surveyed were more likely not to wear a seat belt, more likely to ride with a driver who had been drinking alcohol, and more likely to drive after drinking alcohol.

Among drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 who were involved in fatal crashes 9 percent were distracted at the time of the crash. 

Vijay Dixit told the National Safety Council, “Parents, when your child gets a driver’s license …that is when your responsibility starts,” he said. “Your child’s life depends on you.” Dixit lost his 19 year-old daughter to distracted driving.

Even though some groups are considered more at risk than others, anyone can become a distracted driver.
By Christianne