On January 6, 2026, the Westminster Police Department will conduct an enforcement operation targeting drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law throughout the City.
Remember, a driver’s primary focus should be on the road, not their phone. No text, phone call, email, or social media post is worth risking your safety or the safety of others on the road.
Penalties for using a cell phone while driving in Westminster
In Westminster, California, drivers caught violating hands-free laws during enforcement operations face immediate financial penalties and potential long-term impacts on their driving records.
Financial Penalties
While California law sets low “base fines,” court fees and penalty assessments significantly increase the total cost of a ticket:
- First Offense: The base fine is $20, but the total cost typically ranges from $136 to $162 after mandatory fees.
- Subsequent Offenses: For a second or additional violation within 36 months, the base fine increases to $50, with total costs reaching approximately $260 to $285.
Driving Record & Insurance Impact
- Point Assessment: Under California Assembly Bill 47 (AB 47), a conviction for a second cell phone violation within 36 months of a previous one adds one point to your DMV driving record.
- Insurance Rates: Accumulating points on your record can lead to increased insurance premiums or the loss of “Good Driver” discounts.
- License Suspension: Multiple violations and point accumulations can eventually lead to a suspended driver’s license.
Key Enforcement Rules (2026)
- “No-Touch” Rule: In 2025, California transitioned to a “no-touch” standard. It is now illegal to hold a phone for any reason while operating a vehicle, including while stopped at a red light or in heavy traffic.
- Primary Enforcement: Officers have the authority to stop and ticket you solely for holding a phone; they do not need another reason (like speeding) to initiate the stop.
- Minors: Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using any wireless device while driving, even in hands-free mode.
Cell Phones involved in many serious traffic accidents
In California, distracted driving—with mobile devices being the leading cause—results in approximately 140 to 160 deaths annually, accounting for roughly 3% to 4% of all traffic fatalities in the state.
Based on official reports from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and SafeTREC for the most recent three-year data cycle (2021–2023), the figures are as follows:
- 2023: 158 fatalities (a 6.8% increase from the previous year).
- 2022: 148 fatalities.
- 2021: 140 fatalities.
Key Statistics & Trends (2024–2026)
- Leading Distraction: Mobile devices (texting, calls, or apps) consistently remain the top reported distraction for drivers in California.
- Public Concern: In 2025, over 71% of Californians identified distracted driving, specifically texting, as one of their primary traffic safety concerns.
- Underreporting: Experts note that these figures likely underrepresent the true scale of the problem, as proving cell phone use at the exact moment of a fatal crash is difficult for investigators.
- Demographic Risks: Drivers aged 15 to 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes compared to any other age group.