Distracted driving emphasis patrols begin Monday
May 20, 2013, 5:45 AM | Updated: 1:13 pm
If you’re reading this story on your phone behind the wheel, you could get in serious trouble starting Monday.
Seattle Police say they’re stepping up efforts to crack down on distracted driving, which is a “leading contributing cause of collisions in Seattle accounting for more than 1000 preventable crashes each year.”
Seattle Police say they “can and will pull you over” and give you a ticket for using a handheld mobile device while driving. Law enforcement across the state are participating in Target Zero Plan.
“All of the city, county and state agencies are kind of pitching in to work on this together,” said Washington State Trooper Julie Judson. Drivers who are distracted are sometimes easy to spot. “Individuals who are following too closely to other vehicles, lane travel, people unable to keep their vehicle in that lane of travel as they move down the road,” she said.
Last year, during a similar emphasis campaign, officers and troopers issued 3,171 seatbelt violations. Drivers were written up for 1,059 cell phone violations.
SPD says there are studies that show driving with a mobile device has similar effects to driving while impaired.
While it’s often thought of as a crime carried out by the young, police say people of all ages are guilty of distracted driving.
The campaign starts Monday and runs through June 2. Seatbelt and cell phone violations could cost you a $124 ticket.
State law – RCW 46.61.667
A person operating a moving motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to his or her ear is guilty of a traffic infraction.
RCW 46.61.668
A person operating a moving motor vehicle who, by means of an electronic wireless communications device, sends, reads, or writes a text message, is guilty of a traffic infraction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more people were killed in distracted driving related crashes in 2011 than 2010 (3,331 in 2011 and 3,267 in 2010). But fewer people were injured in 2011 than 2010 (387,000 compared to 416,000).
The CDC says in 2011, 69% of U.S. drivers between 18-64 years old said they had talked on their phone while driving within the 30 days before they were surveyed. Another 31% reported they had read or sent a text message from behind the wheel.
