The Culver City Police Department will conduct on August 22 enforcement operations focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

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 without hands-free operation while driving is punishable by a fine. A second violation of the same hands-free law within 36 months will result in a point being added to the offender’s driving record, CCPD said in a press release.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Culver City Police Chief Cid said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.”

Police officials said if a driver has an important phone call or needs to program directions, he or she must pull over to a safe parking spot. “Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach it, to resist the urge to use the phone without hands-free operation while you’re driving,” police said.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.