The following release from Washington State Patrol:
Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers will conduct a statewide emphasis on distracted
driving from Friday, September 21 through Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, distracted driving is the cause of 30 percent of
traffic fatalities and makes up 23 percent of all serious injury collisions in the state. So far in 2018, the WSP
has contacted 18,557 drivers for distracted driving. In 2017, troopers stopped 17,058 drivers.
According to RCW 46.61.672, drivers are prohibited from using a personal electronic device while
operating a motor vehicle on a public highway— which includes when stopped in traffic or at a traffic
light. Personal electronic devices aren’t just limited to cell phones, but also includes laptop, tablets,
gaming devices, etc. A driver is only allowed the minimal use of a finger to activate, deactivate, or
initiate a function on the device. However, drivers are allowed to use their phones if:
- It’s hands-free and can be started by using a single touch or swipe of a finger
- You are parked or stopped out of the flow of traffic and safely off the roadway
- Calling 911
The penalty for distracted driving is a $136 citation for the first offense. If you’re issued another
citation within five years, the penalty raises to at least $234. Additionally, each offense is reported to
your insurance companies.
Drivers can also be penalized for a secondary violation of dangerously distracted under RCW
46.61.673. Drivers can receive an additional $99 penalty for being dangerously distracted if a driver
commits a traffic violation because they were distracted.
The WSP would like to remind all drivers that there is no call, text, or update that is worth a life. Let’s
all work together to keep Washington roads safe by paying attention.
