Lake Elsinore Police Crack Down On Texting Drivers

The Lake Elsinore Police Department put out this warning Friday and said there will be “zero tolerance” for those who text or use hand-held devices while driving: “Drivers who break the law and place themselves and others in danger will be cited. The current minimum ticket cost is $159, with subsequent tickets costing at least $279.”

The stern message came as part of

“Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk. As a result, law enforcement across the state, including The Lake Elsinore Police Department (is) increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting. This April will see over 225 local agencies plus the CHP conducting zero tolerance enforcements,” according to a Lake Elsinore Police Department news release.

"We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously," said Lake Elsinore Police Chief Dave Fontneau. "Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting officers on the road to enforce zero tolerance. Is that text message or cell phone call really worth $159?"

“Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver's reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver,” Friday’s news release stated.

“Studies show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in ” according to the release.

"Turn off your phone and put it out of reach as you get into the car," said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. "Think before you call or text someone. If there is a chance they may be driving, let it wait. It's not worth it."