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Public Safety

SD Law Enforcement To Crack Down On Texting While Driving

Beginning Monday, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol will crack down on motorists who use their cellphones to talk without hands-free devices or text while driving.

The crackdown will run from Monday through next Saturday, Feb. 18, according to a statement issued by the sheriff's department today.

Motorists caught talking without a hands free device or texting on their cell phones will receive a ticket that costs a minimum of $159 for a first offense and $279 for repeat offenders.

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"We take distracted driving very seriously,'' sheriff's Lt. David Gilmore said. "Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting deputies and officers on the road to target offenders.''

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injury themselves.

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