The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) is launching a new campaign during Distracted Driving Awareness Month this April. The campaign features a 30-second video that demonstrates how much the road can change in a short amount of time and reminds drivers to keep their focus on driving.

According to studies, it takes an average of five seconds to read a text message. In that short time, a car traveling at city speeds can cover approximately 220 feet, the length of three-quarters of a football field.

“Unfortunately, drivers who get away with using their phone while driving are more likely to do it again. We don’t want the consequences to be tragic when their luck runs out.” said Mark McKechnie, External Relations Director at WTSC. “In 2023, 136 traffic fatalities in Washington involved a distracted driver. People tend to underestimate these kinds of risks, so the new campaign illustrates just how much can change on the road in the blink of an eye.”

The campaign encourages drivers to take proactive steps to reduce distractions, such as placing their phones out of reach before driving. Additionally, law enforcement agencies across the state will be deploying extra emphasis patrols looking for distracted drivers from April 7-14.

“Operating a vehicle is one of the most dangerous activities we regularly do,” said Chief John Batiste of the Washington State Patrol.  “Because it is a daily task for most people, we forget how truly dangerous it is.  As a result, we find ourselves easily distracted with cell phones and other electronics in the vehicle until tragedy strikes.  So, I’m asking everyone, please be mindful of the task at hand when operating a vehicle, and let’s work together to make this state a safer place to live.”

Distracted driving is a violation of Washington’s Driving Under the Influence of Electronics (E-DUI) law, which states drivers may not hold cell phones or watch videos while they are driving, stopped in traffic, or at a stop light. Hands-free use is limited to a single touch of the device. The first violation results in an E-DUI ticket that costs drivers $136. If the driver receives a second ticket within five years, the fine increases to $234.

Distraction is not just limited to electronics. Eating, drinking, and personal grooming also take drivers’ attention away from the road and other road users.

To view the campaign video and for more information about how to stay focused on the road, visit https://togetherwegetthere.com/distracted-driving.

Olympia, WA — The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) are reminding all Washingtonians to prioritize safety and make the responsible choice to drive sober or secure a sober ride home this holiday season. Impaired driving remains a leading contributor in fatal crashes in Washington.

To increase safety and keep impaired drivers off the roads, law enforcement agencies across the state will be conducting extra DUI patrols from December 13th through New Year’s Day.

“The holidays are a special time for so many,” said WSP Chief John Batiste. “We want everyone to be able to spend this time with their loved ones, and in order to do that, we all need to make good, safe choices to drive sober.”

In 2023, 78 people were killed in traffic crashes in Washington between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. WSP and WTSC urge everyone to plan ahead for a sober ride home before drinking. Families shouldn’t have to experience the heartbreak of losing loved ones around the holidays due to a completely preventable tragedy.

“Every decision to drive sober is a decision to save lives,” said Shelly Baldwin, WTSC Director. “We all share the road, and we all share the responsibility of keeping it safe. Impairment begins with the first drink, and even small amounts of alcohol can have devastating consequences.”

Research shows that everyone is too impaired to drive safely with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 percent or higher. At this level, drivers are twice as likely to be involved in a crash compared to those who are sober.

For more information on impaired driving and safety resources, visit https://www.togetherwegetthere.com/impaired-driving/.

For Immediate release
August 8, 2024

OLYMPIA – The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) is urging Washingtonians to use sober ride options to prevent impaired driving and ensure the safety of Washington’s roadways. In 2023, there were 810 traffic fatalities in Washington, with 400 of those involving an impaired driver. Roadway deaths involving an impaired driver increased 59 percent from 2019 to 2023, but we may be seeing the start of a decline in 2024.

“We all have a responsibility to keep our roads safe,” said WTSC External Relations Director, Mark McKechnie. “Drunk driving is one of the greatest threats on our roads. By choosing a sober ride option, you can help prevent tragedies and protect yourself and others on the road.”

Impairment begins at a lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) than the current .08 legal limit. Reduced coordination, difficulty steering, reduced ability to track moving objects, and reduced response to emergency situations begin at .05 BAC. Crash risk is doubled for a person at .05 and tripled at .07 BAC, compared to a sober driver.

The WTSC offers several recommendations for sober ride options:

• Designate a sober driver before consuming alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs
• Use ride share services
• Take public transportation, such as buses or trains
• call a taxi or other car service
• Stay the night at your destination, if possible

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state will be conducting DUI high-visibility patrols beginning August 12 through Labor Day. Patrols will be monitoring traffic for instances of impaired driving and removing suspected impaired drivers from the road.

New PSAs in English and Spanish from the WTSC will air on streaming video and audio platforms, radio, social media, and out of home media during the emphasis period encouraging the use of ride options to get home safely. A 30-second video called, “Plan Ahead,” can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_LKz3W2bTo.

For more information on impaired driving prevention and sober ride options, please visit https://togetherwegetthere.com/impaired-driving.

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Lewis County, WA — The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) is proud to announce that Captain Jeff Godbey of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office has been named the Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) of the Year for 2023. This award recognizes Captain Godbey’s dedication to traffic safety and his outstanding contributions to the community. He was honored at the Region 3 Traffic Safety Task Force meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The Statewide Law Enforcement Liaison, Bob Thompson, presented Captain Godbey with the award.

“Captain Godbey’s commitment to traffic safety and his innovative approach to community partnerships have made a tremendous impact,” said Thompson. “We are proud to recognize his contributions and leadership.”

Captain Godbey has been the LEL for Lewis County since 2018, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries. He began his career as an Explorer and then spent 13 years focusing on impaired driving as a Drug Recognition Expert.

Throughout his tenure, Captain Godbey has forged strong partnerships within the community and law enforcement agencies. His efforts in organizing events like the ABATE Spring Opener, the Night of 1000 Stars, and the Annual Traffic Safety Awards Banquet have significantly contributed to promoting traffic safety and honoring those who uphold it.

Captain Godbey’s proactive approach extends to educational initiatives such as Safety City, which teaches essential traffic safety skills to over 1,000 elementary students annually. His engagement with high school programs and events like National Night Out fosters positive relationships between youth and law enforcement, furthering community trust and safety awareness.

In addition to his local impact, Captain Godbey collaborates with surrounding counties to enhance law enforcement training and knowledge. His recent hosting of an Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) training exemplifies his dedication to professional development and regional cooperation.

The success of the Lewis County Target Zero Task Force owes much to Captain Godbey’s tireless efforts. His passion for prevention, education, and enforcement has made significant strides in making roadways safer for everyone.

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OLYMPIA, Wash. – Today, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) announces that High Visibility Enforcement patrols are active across the state to monitor for drivers who are not wearing their seat belts or do not have child passengers in the correct car seat. These emphasis patrols are running from May 20 – June 2 as part of WTSC’s annual seat belt campaign, which strives to remind Washingtonians that wearing a seat belt is one of the most important and effective ways to survive a crash.

WTSC measures seat belt use through observational and random response surveys. The observed rate in 2023 was 93.3%. However, the Annual Statewide Traffic Safety Survey shows that seat belt use declined slightly across the state in 2023. One concerning trend is that only 83% of people surveyed said they usually wear a seat belt when in the back seat of a vehicle. The survey also showed that some people are hesitant to ask each other to buckle up, with almost 18% of respondents saying they’d be slightly uncomfortable asking someone else to use a seat belt.

“Wearing a seat belt drastically decreases the chance of dying or being seriously injured in a collision, regardless of where you are sitting in a vehicle. Airbags and other safety features are designed to work best when you are buckled up,” said Erica Stineman, Communications Manager, WTSC. “We are asking everyone to take advantage of this focus on seat belts to make sure everyone in their vehicle is secured safely, every time they drive.”

Despite Washington maintaining a high seat belt use rate for many years, the number of fatalities and serious injuries involving people not wearing seat belts has increased to the highest number since before 2010. WTSC urges all Washingtonians to buckle up because it is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. The campaign will pay extra attention to regions of the state where seat belt use was significantly lower than the statewide seat belt use rate, including Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Mason, Stevens, and Thurston counties.

“We know that a vast majority of people in Washington use their seat belts, and we appreciate you helping us make the road a safer place,” continued Stineman. “Our hope is that this campaign will reach some of the folks who choose not to buckle up so we can get closer to 100% seat belt use across the state this year.”

WTSC is asking businesses and parents to help by creating and enforcing seat belt expectations. In the 2023 study, 29% of employed respondents said their workplace either did not require seat belts or did not have a policy about seat belt use, with only 33% reporting that their employers did have a policy in place. Similarly, nearly 9% of people surveyed stated that they did not have seat belt rules within their family.

Parents and caregivers can take advantage of this focus on seat belts to ensure that their child passengers are also secured safely. For the best protection, a child should remain in each stage of restraint until they reach the maximum height and weight based on the manufacturer’s instructions.  According to the law in Washington, children up to age 13 must also ride in the back seat when practical to do so. Many communities have certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians available to help caregivers ensure they are using the right seats in the right ways.

Washington state laws require that everyone in a motor vehicle wears a safety restraint that is properly fastened. The fine for not wearing a seatbelt or appropriate child restraint costs $136. More information can be found at the WTSC’s Together We Get There website. Child passenger safety resources are at wacarseats.com with materials available in seven languages.