Nearly half of PNW drivers admit to illegally using phones behind the wheel, survey finds
Sep 16, 2026, 11:00 AM | Updated: 12:46 pm
Photo of a Washington State Patrol Trooper during a traffic stop. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol)
(Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol)
Next time you’re stuck in traffic, are you reaching for the phone and responding to a text? A survey from PEMCO Northwest found that 48% of drivers confessed to illegally using their phones behind the wheel. Of those, 23% admitted to talking on the phone without hands-free, and 17% said they text while driving.
If you look at five cars around you on the road, at least one of them is typing out a text message. Of those who admitted to using their phones, roughly 35% said it’s because they don’t think they’ll get caught. PEMCO spokesperson Jennifer Hawton said this isn’t a surprise.
“Most drivers understand that using a phone behind the wheel can have serious consequences, but our poll shows there can still be a gap between knowing the risk and actually changing our behavior,” she said.
The law is clear
Washington passed the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act back in 2017, making it illegal to use a handheld device while driving, even when stopped at a red light or in traffic. A first offense carries a fine of at least $145, with repeat violations jumping to at least $243. Every ticket gets reported to the insurance company.
Backtracking since 2018
When PEMCO surveyed drivers in 2018, 63% said stricter distracted driving laws made them more cautious behind the wheel. Eight years later, the share of drivers who said using a phone while driving “isn’t too dangerous” has dropped sharply from 51% to 19%. People know it’s dangerous, but the numbers suggest many believe the risk doesn’t apply to them.
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The same as driving drunk?
Nearly three-quarters of PNW residents told PEMCO that illegal phone use while driving should be treated as seriously as driving under the influence. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 315,167 injuries and 3,208 deaths across America are connected to distracted driving.
Washington’s Target Zero initiative wants to end traffic fatalities by 2030. That goal is impossible if half the drivers on the road reach for their phones.
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