Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is the act of driving while engaged in other activities that take the driver’s attention away from the road.

In the state of Washington, it is against the law to hold your cell phone while you are driving.

You CAN use your cell phone if you are:

Hands-free and can start use by a single touch or swipe of your finger
Parked or out-of-the-flow of traffic
Contacting emergency services

Washington Stats

30%

of crash fatalities are due to distracted driving.

23%

of serious crashes in Washington are due to distracted driving.

Drivers are 3 times more likely to be in a crash when talking on a phone.

70%

of observed distracted drivers were using their cell phones.

Our Programs

Distracted Driving Traffic Research Education for Driving Safety (TREDS) Training for Law Enforcement

The WTSC will offer law enforcement officers the opportunity to complete a distracted training course in early summer 2018. The goal is to train officers how to safely operate their vehicle while using their vehicle equipment.

Work Zone Safety Awareness Campaign

This campaign focuses on educating drivers not to drive distracted to save the lives of work zone workers. April is Work Zone Safety month, but this educational campaign will be held throughout the summer months when most construction projects are taking place.

Distracted Driving Month (April)

Over 150 law enforcement agencies throughout Washington State participate on this educational campaign. WTSC disseminates distracted driving information throughout the state using media and social media channels to educate drivers about the impacts of driving distracted.

King County Distracted Driving Prevention Campaign

WTSC funds King County to conduct extra distracted driving law enforcement patrols. Twenty-four local law enforcement agencies participate in the county during a spring and summer campaign.

Bellingham Distracted Driving Campaign

Like King County, the local law enforcement agencies in Bellingham are funded through a grant by WTSC to conduct extra distracted driving law enforcement patrols. Bellingham kicks off the campaign in the fall with an event in memory of members of the community that were killed by a distracted driver.