Pasadena Police to Crack Down on Drivers Holding Phones

Enforcement operation targets hands-free law violations on February 20th

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Pasadena Police Department will conduct an enforcement operation on Friday, February 20th, targeting drivers suspected of violating California's hands-free cell phone law. The operation is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and will focus on drivers holding phones for any purpose, including checking GPS navigation, which a 2025 court ruling determined is illegal.

Why it matters

Distracted driving crashes have led to numerous fatalities in California, with Los Angeles County recording the most such incidents in the state. This enforcement operation aims to improve road safety by reminding drivers to keep their focus on the road and not their phones.

The details

Under California Vehicle Code §23123, drivers cannot hold a phone or any electronic communications device while operating a vehicle, including for talking, texting, browsing apps, or navigating. A first violation carries a base fine of around $160, and a second violation within 36 months adds a point to the driver's record. The police advise drivers to pull over to a safe spot if they need to make a call or check directions, and to silence or stow their phones before driving.

  • The enforcement operation will take place on Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • In 2025, a California Court of Appeal ruled that holding a phone for any purpose while driving, including checking GPS navigation, violates state law.

The players

Pasadena Police Department

The local law enforcement agency conducting the enforcement operation targeting drivers violating the hands-free cell phone law.

California Office of Traffic Safety

The state agency that provided a grant to fund the Pasadena Police Department's enforcement operation.

Lieutenant Anthony Russo

A spokesperson for the Pasadena Police Department who emphasized the importance of drivers keeping their focus on the road and not their phones.

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What they’re saying

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

— Lieutenant Anthony Russo, Pasadena Police Department (Pasadena Now)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This enforcement operation highlights the ongoing efforts to combat distracted driving and the dangers it poses to both drivers and pedestrians. By strictly enforcing the hands-free law, the Pasadena Police Department aims to improve road safety and prevent further tragedies caused by drivers who are more focused on their phones than the task of driving.