CVPD finds 44 of 69 drivers on phones

Chula Vista police stopped 69 vehicles Thursday in an effort to combat drivers’ cellphone use as part of April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign.

During the five-hour operation, conducted between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., 44 drivers were cited for using their cellphones, and eight other drivers were ticketed for texting, police said.

Police also impounded a vehicle, arrested a driver on suspicion of being under the influence and cited three drivers for license-related issues.

The fine for texting and driving tickets starts at $161, and subsequent tickets can hit drivers with at least $281 in fines, police said.