Petaluma police target drivers holding cell phones

<p>Drivers on their cell phones illegally in Petaluma this morning are the target of police officers hoping to reduce the chance of car crashes in the city.</p><p>Officers will conduct a special traffic enforcement operation from 7-10 a.m., seeking drivers holding cell phones with their hands or texting, reported Sgt. Ken Savano.</p><p>Officers Tuesday conducted a survey of drivers at East Washington Street and North McDowell Boulevard and found about 10 percent of the drivers were using cell phones illegally, Savano said in a release.</p><p>Another survey downtown at East Washington Street near Water Street was worse, showing almost 20 percent of the drivers were talking and holding their cell phones in their hand, he said.</p><p>Traffic collisions have dropped in town since July 1, 2008, when it became illegal to hold a cell phone in hand while driving, according to police statistics.</p><p>Petaluma officers have given more than 900 citations for the violation since the start date and collision statistics showed rear-end crashes have dropped by almost 10 percent, Savano said.</p>