CA Office Of Traffic Safety Looks At Technology To Stop Distracted Driving

SACRAMENTO (KCBS) – The problem of cellphone use in cars is not going away. The number of distracted drivers in California is increasing, according to a recent study.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 40 percent of the population understands the dangers of distracted driving, but 60 percent of drivers are still increasing the use of phones while driving.

KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:

"It's kind of like candy. It's too good to give up for some people," said Chris Cochran with the Office of Traffic Safety.

But he said that in the coming years, he believes there will be a technological fix to the problem.

Car and cellphone manufacturers have the technology to turn off the ability to use a phone in a moving car or send out a message saying the driver is unable to use the phone. But Cochran said it still needs refinement.

"What they're working on is to ensure that other people in the car can still use their cellphones," he said.

More than 57,000 tickets were issued in April to California drivers who were caught using a handheld cellphone or texting while driving, all part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

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