Extra patrols for texting while driving run through April 14

Published 1:48 pm Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Heads up, Washington! April is Distracted Driving Awareness month, so make a commitment to leave your cell phone alone while you’re driving. Not only is it dangerous, but with extra officers looking for cell phone violators, you risk a ticket otherwise.

While many things can distract a driver, cell phones are the most dangerous.

For the third consecutive year, Washington law enforcement officers will join the national campaign aimed at curbing the temptation of drivers to use their phones.

Extra patrols run though April 14.

During 2015, there were a total of 13 traffic deaths in Clallam and Jefferson counties. Five of the deaths involved some form of distracted driving.

Six injured individuals were transported to Harborview Medical Center by helicopter and airlifts for two other victims were canceled because they died before the helicopter could arrive.

“Driving is one of the most dangerous things that we do. It only takes a couple of seconds of inattention to ruin your or someone else’s life forever. Remember safe driving is in your hands,” said Jim Borte, Target Zero manager.

Cell phones cause crashes because they connect people to social and informational interchanges, explains Ward. This complex mental task creates a situation where a driver “looks” but doesn’t “see.”

Recent AAA research has shown that it takes nearly 30 seconds after ending the call or text for a driver’s mind to return its focus to driving.

“Cell phones distract drivers differently than eating a hamburger or putting on make-up,” explains Angie Ward, Washington Traffic Safety Commission program manager.

“Holding a phone in your hand takes your hand off the wheel. Reading or entering data into your phone takes your eyes off the road. The biggest problem is that it takes your mind away from the tasks of driving.”

One in 10 drivers and one-third of pedestrians were distracted by cell phone use, according to two studies conducted by the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center in Seattle.

“Taken together, this research has serious implications for people who think it’s safe to dial or send a text message at a stoplight,” said Dr. Beth Ebel, lead author of the Harborview studies.

“Even if drivers stop talking or texting before the light turns green, they still don’t take in all the important elements in their surroundings for another 30 seconds. Couple this with pedestrians who also may be distracted and it’s a recipe for a trip to the emergency room or worse.”

One out of five deadly crashes and one out of three serious injury crashes happen at or near an intersection, Ward notes.

These extra patrols are part of Target Zero — striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030.

For more information, visit www.targetzero.com.

Additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission can be found at www.wtsc.wa.gov.