Distracted Driving

Where Washington State ranks in distracted driving accidents

Washington State’s distracted driving law makes it illegal to use a mobile phone or portable electronic device while operating a vehicle. Since the law went into effect in 2017, traffic fatalities have reduced noticeably. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the majority of residents are aware that holding a cell phone while driving is illegal....

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The dangers of eating while driving

Recent years have seen a greater emphasis placed in avoiding distracted driving (with a good deal of that placed on avoiding cell phone use while behind the wheel). There are, however, a number of other types of driving distractions that may be even more prevalent (and thus potentially more dangerous) than using a cell...

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School buses deserve your full attention

The end of summer is an exciting time of year, as parents send their kids back to school. But along with the excitement of purchasing new clothes, the possibility of making new friends and worrying about inevitable scheduling changes, you might feel a little stressed out about how the school year will go.Mornings can...

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How effective are traffic calming measures?

Many people hear about ways that drivers can help improve road safety by keeping their attention on the road and driving defensively. However, cities try to help enhance safety by adjusting the physical design of the road as well.Recently, Seattle has adopted many of these strategies–called traffic calming–to help keep our roads safer. But...

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What Washington cities have the most distracted drivers?

In the United States, distracted drivers are everywhere. While many states have banned texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving, it remains a problem.In Washington, drivers are not allowed to use hand-held cell phones while driving or stopped at a stoplight or stop sign. Drivers can, however, use hands-free devices while driving....

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Washington drivers are trading one form of distracted driving for another

On the surface, it sounds like good news: There has been a slight decrease in distracted driving in Washington over the past three years, according to a recent observational study conducted by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. But let’s take a look closer at the study’s results. In 2016 and 2017, the total distraction...

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Where do Washington drivers rank for distracted driving?

When it comes to distracted driving in the United States, things seem to be only getting worse.A recent study by ZenDrive, a company that analyzes driver behavior using phone sensors and provides insights on that data, recently analyzed 100 billion driver miles. The results of that study are telling: Distracted driving is a bigger...

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Study finds women more likely to engage in distracted driving than men

Most people have heard about the dangers of distracted driving. But distracted driving remains a huge problem – one that only seems to be getting worse. Distracted driving doesn’t discriminate: Men and women, young and old, engage in distracted driving. But a recent study reveals something interesting: Women are more likely than men to...

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Driver safety in school zones: How does Washington rank?

It is important to drive safely and minimize distractions whenever operating a motor vehicle. But there are certain areas where it is extra important to pay attention. Let’s consider one of those areas: school zones. When children are present, it is extremely important for drivers to be aware of their surroundings, keep their eyes...

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Washington’s brand new distracted driving law

As the distracted driving epidemic reaches its crisis point, the state of Washington has taken a major step to curb the problem. The law: On July 20th, a new distracted driving law went into effect. The law bans hand-held cell phone and other electronic device use while driving, while stopped in traffic, and while...

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