In California, including LA, it has been illegal to use electronic devices in hand while driving since 2017.

Except in emergencies such as calling the police or an ambulance, any use of a cell phone while driving is illegal.

In particular, even if you are stopped at a red light, you can be caught and ticketed for touching your phone while sitting in the driver's seat. Using a cell phone directly while the car is not parked on the shoulder or in a parking space (such as texting or using apps) is prohibited, and a fine of $162 is imposed for the first offense. If you are caught a second time within 36 months, points will be added to your driving record.

According to data released by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) in 2021, 3,522 people died in accidents caused by distracted driving, which is a 12% increase from the previous year. Actions such as checking or sending text messages are considered serious risk factors that can lead to fatal consequences.

Why is the law enforced so strictly?

Even when stopped at a traffic light, touching your phone for a moment can blur your awareness of the surrounding situation, and you may not react quickly when the signal changes. Many states, including California, strictly enforce cell phone usage restrictions to minimize distractions while driving. These laws were introduced to prevent accidents on the road and to enhance driver focus.

There are various reasons why accidents occur while checking or sending text messages, but the biggest cause is the distraction of attention while driving. This phenomenon is called "traffic distraction" and is actually cited as one of the main causes of accidents. When your eyes are off the road while checking texts or social media, you can easily miss road hazards. If you fail to recognize hazards such as intersections, traffic lights, and pedestrians in advance, it can lead to accidents. One of the main causes of traffic accidents in the United States is the attention deficit caused by using smartphones.

Using a smartphone significantly delays a driver's reaction time. For example, while sending a text message, awareness of road conditions is delayed, and sudden braking or evasive maneuvers may be delayed. Many people think they are 'multitasking' when using a smartphone, but in reality, multitasking makes it difficult to perform two tasks well at the same time. Driving is an activity that requires high concentration, so the likelihood of an accident increases significantly when using a smartphone.

Safe Driving Practices

• Turn off or silence your phone: Before driving, it is a good idea to set your phone to silent and place it in the glove box or trunk.
• Check text messages after stopping: If you need to send a text urgently, make sure to pull over to a safe location first.
• Use hands-free features: Even when using voice recognition or hands-free devices, overly focusing or attempting to multitask is still dangerous.

In the United States, many states have laws that restrict texting or phone calls while driving, including hands-free driving methods. For example, in states like California and New York, you can be fined just for sending or receiving text messages, and these laws aim to prevent accidents.

Since distractions while driving significantly increase the risk of accidents, it is important to minimize cell phone use for safe driving.