Petaluma Police crack down on distracted driving. Last Friday between 7am and 5pm, three patrol officers were deployed throughout the city to look for distracted drivers. Forty-nine traffic stops were made and 24 drivers were cited for using a cell phone while driving and 15 were cited for speeding. In California, it is illegal to drive while holding your cell phone or similar electronic device in your hand. Instead, you must use a Bluetooth device or a properly positioned car mount for the cell phone or device.