King County Deploys Extra Patrols to Monitor Distracted Driving for Fifth Year

Study provides update on King County motorists’ opinions on distracted driving behaviors

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Law enforcement agencies in King County will be deploying High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) patrols from July 24 to August 6 to monitor drivers violating Washington’s Driving Under the Influence of Electronics (E-DUI) law as part of the King County Target Zero Task Force’s efforts to minimize distracted driving. This is the fifth year HVE patrols have been deployed since Governor Jay Inslee signed the E-DUI law into effect.

The King County Target Zero Task Force, in partnership with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, continues to prioritize distracted driving to ensure safe roads. The E-DUI law 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 device. The first violation results in an E-DUI ticket that costs drivers $136. If the driver incurs a second ticket within five years, the fine increases to $234.

“Every year, many traffic-related injuries and deaths are attributed to distracted driving. These incidents wouldn’t happen if everyone stayed off their phones while they were driving,” says Sgt. Leo Ramos, Law Enforcement Liaison for the King County Target Zero Task Force. “We are working hard to prevent distracted driving and strongly encourage everyone adhere to all driving laws while on the road to help us reach zero traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030.”

The King County Target Zero Task Force conducted a survey of over 900 King County drivers to better understand how they perceive the risks and dangers of distracted driving and adhere to the E-DUI law. The results found that 93% of drivers found it a threat when other drivers text or email while driving and over 70% of respondents found it unacceptable to use a hand-held phone to talk, text or use non-GPS apps when behind the wheel. A vast majority (over 80%) also reported they were unlikely to use a hand-held device to talk, text or use non-GPS apps while driving over the next 30 days.

“We’ve made progress in helping people understand the serious impact of distracted driving, but we want to reinforce that the simple act of putting your phone away while you are driving can save someone’s life,” says Sara Wood, Target Zero Manager, South King County. “We’re asking motorists everywhere to protect each other by eliminating distractions. Everyone is safer when drivers stay focused on the road.”

Agencies participating in the extra patrols include the Bellevue, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Redmond, and SeaTac police departments. Drivers can visit the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s website to learn all the dos and don’ts of the E-DUI law.

ABOUT KING COUNTY TARGET ZERO TASK FORCE

Extra patrols are partially funded by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission with the coordination of the King County Target Zero Task Force. The Task Force brings together representatives from law enforcement, public health, health and human services, transportation and community organizations to coordinate traffic safety campaigns throughout King County.

The WTSC and participating law enforcement agencies condemn profiling. Trained and commissioned law enforcement officers will be conducting these patrols enforcing traffic violations as defined by Washington State laws.