70 Drivers Cited During 10-Hour Crackdown In La Quinta

LA QUINTA, CA — A "traffic safety" operation conducted last week in La Quinta by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department resulted in 70 motorists getting ticketed.

The operation took place from 6 a.m. through 4 p.m. Friday across the city, according to the sheriff's department.

The law enforcement agency reported that the citations included 25 for cell phone use while driving, 16 for speeding, four for failing to stop at a stop sign, and 25 other "miscellaneous" violations.

In a released statement, the sheriff's department focused on the dangers of distracted driving, particularly cell phone use.

"The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that distracted driving remains a leading cause of preventable crashes across California, with cell phone use posing one of the greatest risks on today’s roadways," the agency stated.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app.

Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record, according to the sheriff's department.

Funding for the La Quinta operation was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.