The Bakersfield Police Department will be stepping up enforcement throughout the month of April as part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Officers will be enforcing all cell phone and distracted driving laws. The goal of the stepped-up enforcement is to not only increase the compliance of drivers but to better help drivers understand the importance of not driving while distracted.
April 5th and April 13th are the two designated days when law enforcement agencies throughout the state will step up their enforcement activities directed toward distracted driving.
The California Department of Transportation will also be putting up distracted driving messages on the changeable message signs on freeways during April.
The Bakersfield Police Department has the following safety tips:
- If you receive a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location, but never on the freeway. Once you are safely off the road, it is safe to text.
- Designate your passenger as you "designated texter." Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
- Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
- Cell phone use can be habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your final destination.
