Elk Grove Police Crack Down on Distracted Driving as Data Shows Thousands of Fatal Crashes Linked to Phone Use
April enforcement campaign targets hands-free violations amid rising concerns over texting-related crashes statewide and nationwide
The Elk Grove Police Department is stepping up enforcement of distracted-driving laws this month, targeting motorists who use handheld cell phones while driving as part of a statewide April awareness campaign.
Throughout April, officers will conduct focused patrols looking for drivers violating California’s hands-free law, which prohibits holding a phone while driving, including for talking, texting, or using apps, according to a department press release issued Wednesday.
Violations can result in fines, and repeat offenses within 36 months carry an additional penalty point on a driver’s record. Police officials urged drivers to pull over before using their phones or to silence and store devices out of reach before starting a trip.
The enforcement effort is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The local crackdown comes as state and national data underscore the continuing dangers of distracted driving, particularly involving mobile devices.
According to the California Highway Patrol, more than 60,000 crashes statewide between 2020 and 2024 were attributed to driver inattention, resulting in over 350 deaths and more than 43,000 injuries.
Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 3,208 people were killed in distracted-driving crashes in 2024, with more than 315,000 injured. Federal officials have identified texting and handheld phone use among the most dangerous forms of distraction because they simultaneously take drivers’ eyes, hands, and attention away from the road.
Safety researchers say the risks are significant. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that manipulating a cellphone while driving increases crash risk, while the National Transportation Safety Board has warned that texting drivers are more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash compared with attentive drivers.
The National Safety Council, citing federal data, estimates that at least 12 percent of fatal distraction-related crashes involve cell phone use. However, experts say the true number is likely higher because distraction is often difficult to verify after a collision.
For Elk Grove Police, the April enforcement campaign is aimed not only at issuing citations but also at changing behavior.
Authorities are urging drivers to treat phones as a serious hazard behind the wheel — one that can turn a routine trip into a life-altering event in seconds.
