New Radar 'Gun' Could Aid Police In Catching People Who Text While Driving

SANTA FE SPRINGS (CBSLA.com)  —  Think of it as "The Texting Gun."

It doesn't actually fire but like a radar gun, but this new device can let law enforcement know who is using a device to text or talk while driving.

ComSonics, a company in Virginia, developed the technology for the Sniffer Sleuth II.

KCAL9's Brittney Hopper reports the CHP hopes to have the gun operational in California.

For now, the texting gun that weighs about 1.6 pounds awaits legislative approval. The gun is ready for the assembly line, but no release date has been attached to the innovation.

Makers say the gun is sensitive enough to determine if it's the driver or passenger who is texting.

ComSonics says each Sniffer Sleuth would cost about $2,000.

Hopper went for a ride-along with CHP on Friday evening.

"Texters are out here. They just put the phone down when they see the patrol car. Makes it a little harder to spot," said CHP Officer Elias Granado.

The officer is hoping the device is put into play sooner than later.

"Texting is a very high cause of collisions out here," Granado said. "We see it on a daily basis."

Texting while driving is illegal in 44 of the 50 states, including California.

A ticket for a first offense can cost $150. But the officer believes that is a small price to pay considering that texting while driving can often have fatal consequences.

The gun would also need a test run by law enforcement should they seek out the device.

"Anything that helps enforcement contacts is beneficial that can make me more productive on the road," said Granado.

For more information about the Sniffer Sleuth, click here.