72 Goleta Drivers Cited for Violating Hands-Free Cell Phone Law
By the City of Goleta
In an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, the Goleta Police Department issued 72 citations during the month of April to drivers who violated the state’s handsfree cell phone law.
“Despite repeated efforts to warn drivers about the hands-free cell phone law, some drivers continue to use their phones while operating a vehicle,” Sergeant Noel Rivas said. “Our ultimate goal is to change behaviors that help make our roads safer.”
California has had distracted driving laws on the books since 2008. Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold their phone or other electronic device while driving. This includes talking, texting, using an app or even if stopped at a red light. 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.
If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, 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 was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.
18 Comments
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May 03, 2023 02:20 PMSooooo good...!!!
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May 03, 2023 04:29 PMGreat to read about this. I wish the SB police would monitor people getting off the freeway at Garden Street in the morning -- I see many of them talking on their phones as they turn onto Garden.
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May 03, 2023 04:31 PMWish they'd ticket the snakes that cut into the right lane juuuust before Gutierrez too. Sssss
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May 03, 2023 05:16 PMSnakes are always hands-free.
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May 04, 2023 06:25 AMJust don’t let them in
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May 03, 2023 05:10 PMCity of goleta press release.
Patrick should be a citizen police and get those cell phone abusers in Santa barbara
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May 04, 2023 07:09 AMI'm confused. Is there a law that says one cannot use "Hands Free" phone? (meaning one's hands are on the wheel and not the phone?) Article says "Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold their phone or other electronic device while driving." "Hold their phone" means to me holding in a hand. Actually it is just as distracting to talk on the phone with or without holding it, so I don't do it. And how can someone tell if someone is not just talking to themselves or singing if their hands are on the wheel but they're talking on a phone somehow?
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May 04, 2023 07:50 AMhttps://www.ots.ca.gov/media-and-research/campaigns/distracted-driving-april/#:~:text=In%20California%2C%20you%20cannot%20use,cell%20phone%20for%20any%20reason. Not sure if link will work, if not, just use "hands free law, California" in search engine of choice.
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May 04, 2023 08:12 AMAnd it looks like specifically "VC 23123.5" VC=Vehicle code I presume
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May 05, 2023 12:22 PMPaglin, regardless what options you have under the law, a driver is pushing luck and safety aside by using a phone in any manner whatsoever while behind the wheel and operating a moving vehicle. There is no reason to drive and use your phone. If anyone is that connected, then they are too connected and should probably step back and look at what they are doing. You can't go an hour without your phone? 20 minutes? Really? I'm sure many of you grew up in the 70s, 80s, 90s....we didn't have this garbage then and we grew up just fine with it. we lived. we had fun too, we connected wihtout it. if you're behind the wheel, that phone should be turned off or in your center console or glove box. Stashed away and out of sight.
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May 04, 2023 07:21 AMWhen driving on the freeway and bam someone’s going 45-50 pass then and they are usually talking, I see so many people on the phone everywhere. A lot hold phone with the speaker phone on lol
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May 04, 2023 09:38 AMAlways! They are either going 45-50 or they are going 55 in the middle lane with a 10 car buffer. Jeez, put the phone down!
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May 04, 2023 08:26 AMI live on a busy street and, as I'm reading this article, I note that 3 of the last 10 cars to pass by are operated by drivers looking at their phones. I would love to see a real concerted effort to ticket drivers, in order to change behaviors. If the police really want to crack down on this dangerous activity, they could issue 72 tickets in one morning...
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May 04, 2023 09:56 AM70+...thats a lot of people that really should not be driving. distracted driving can kill. be smart. leave your phone off or away from your hands. i have seen first hand what distracted driving does to others. Would you like to count the pins in my left arm?
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May 04, 2023 10:21 AMLong haul truckers look down into cars and tell me more drivers than not are holding a phone and conversing with someone. Consistent and persistent enforcement of the law would be a significant income producer for the Government as it changed the Bad Habit.
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May 04, 2023 10:48 AMOn north bound 101, a HUGE cement mixer with the mixer rolling started to come into our lane. My husband dodged by going far left as were in the fast lane. As we passed the driver I could see he was texing!!!!! There was no company marking. INCREDIBLY STUPID and DANGEROUS!!
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May 04, 2023 11:45 AMPhone use is as dangerous as drunk driving. Hands free makes zero difference. In fact, hands free is worse because you can't even tell that someone is paying attention to their phone rather than to their driving. All phone use in cars is a menace to everyone on the road.
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May 04, 2023 12:20 PMThank you, and cite more of these self-important & entitled folks, please!
Cabrillo X 101 underpass is one of many places rife with violators.