Napa Police: 39 Drivers Cited for Cell/Text Use in April

The idea that “talk is cheap” can go right out the window if you are pulled over by police for talking or texting on your cell phone while driving.

In California it is against the law to talk or text on a hand-held device while driving a vehicle, according to Napa Police Sgt. Paul Paniagua, who heads the traffic division.

 Currently the driver will be hit with a citation carrying a $159 fine for the first offense, Paniagua said.

“The second offense and thereafter is $209. But those costs of $159 and $209 could be much higher depending on other issues, such as the violator’s driving record,” he said.

Legislation pending in Sacramento would increase even further the fines for texting behind the wheel, and make repeat offenders subject to losing a point on their driving licenses.

The Napa Police Department joined with other law agencies statewide last month in a crackdown on drivers talking and texting on cell phones.

“The program, which was headed by CHP, was a joint effort by all law agencies,” Paniagua said. “Myself, along with three motorcycle units were assigned to patrol the city.

“During the month of April, we issued 39 citations,” Paniagua continued. “We also found other violations when we stopped the vehicles, such as no seat belts, unregistered and DUI drivers and child safety-seat violations.”

Paniagua said most drivers stopped for the violations were aware of the law they were breaking, which states that a driver may not talk or text on any hand-held device. (Headsets and speaker-phones are allowed.)

The only exception for using a hand-held cell phone while driving is to report an emergency.

“You just can’t have either of your hands tied up talking on a cell or texting,” Paniagua said.

The law is stricter for younger drivers 16 to 18. “It is against the law for drivers in that age bracket to have any electronic device in the car while they are driving,” he said.

Texting may be even more hazardous than chatting because it takes your eyes off the road,
 Paniagua said. “And for most it takes two hands to text.”

He said it is also a distraction for drivers. “If you are talking to someone and you are upset, it can affect your driving.”

Paniagua said there have been three fatal traffic accidents in Napa since January.

“We are still investigating all three, but we believe one involves the use of a cell phone,” he said.

Paniagua said during the crack down the traffic officers patrolled the entire city. “Drivers of all ages were cited, not so much the seniors.”

Napa Patch asked several residents at the Bel Aire Plaza shopping center their take on the law.

Larry Bennett is in favor of it.

 “Talking on a cell and especially texting can be a real disaster when driving,” he said. “If you have to take a call and don’t have speakerphone or Bluetooth, pull over to the side of the road and stop. It might take a few extra seconds, but we are talking about saving lives here.”

Aaron Smith, 16, of Napa is a brand-new driver, having gotten his license only four days before his Napa Patch interview.

“I understand the reason why the cops don’t want people to talk and text on their cells while driving. It could be dangerous,” Smith said.

 “But I don’t think it’s right to punish kids my age. If I have a speaker phone or a Bluetooth, I should be able to use them when I drive.”

Paniagua said although the cell phone campaign ended the end of April, drivers are not off the hook.

“We will still continue to police the streets looking for violators,” he said. “It’s part of our job.”