April 2023, Newsletter
Simitian and Jonsen highlight distracted driving risks
During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, County Supervisor Joe Simitian and Sheriff Robert Jonsen shared the County’s efforts to increase awareness about distracted driving with stepped up education and enforcement.
“Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes, your hands, or your mind away from the task of driving,” said Sheriff Jonsen. “Mobile devices remain the biggest distraction for drivers – whether it’s talking, texting, emailing, pictures, facetiming or using an app.”
In 2006, California passed a law requiring that cell phones be used “hands-free” while drivers are behind the wheel. The law was authored by Simitian, who was then a member of the California State Senate. The State’s “hands-free” law then took effect on July 1, 2008. The following year, traffic fatalities dropped 20 percent, and there were 700 fewer deaths on California roads and highways. In 2008, Simitian introduced a follow-up bill to prohibit texting while driving which became law and took effect in 2009.