Drivers: Be weary of using cellphones

The Fallon Police Department recently conducted a directed enforcement of cellphone violations in the city.

Police Chief Kevin Gehman said the department concentrated on school zones in the morning and afternoon, as well as during the lunchtime movements.

“As you know, the dangers of distracted driving while children are going to and from school is very real,” Gehman said. “We wanted to demonstrate to drivers, especially our younger, less experienced drivers, that talking or texting on a cell phone is not only dangerous but illegal.”

Gehman said his department had received calls about distracted drivers from concerned citizens. He said his officers began pulling drivers over for violations he felt needed direct enforcement. Being distracted while driving is dangerous and a safety concern, he added.

No one, Gehman said, wants to get called to an accident where a distracted driver either hurts or kills another person because the driver was on his or her phone while driving.

He said another part of the day was to allow the drivers know that police officers are paying attention and encouraging the drivers to do the same.

Gehman said that even with the concerted efforts, the department was unable to make any stops for the offenses, but that was not the case.

“Between the morning school zones and approximately 4 p.m., we issued a total of 34 citations for cellphone violations,” he said. “As a result of those stops, citations were also issued for suspended/revoked registration, license infractions, insurance not in effect and a fictitious license plates offenses.”

He said the intent of the enforcement was not about handing out citations but rather getting distracted drivers to comply with the law and stay off their phones while they are behind the wheel.

“We’re hoping the enforcement and the goal behind it will resonate with drivers,” Gehman said. “We won’t know if it was successful right away. We’ll have to give it time and see if the number of citations drop over time. If that does happen, then we’ll discuss having more enforcements.”