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Washington enforces stricter distracted driving rules

 

Washington was one of the first states to bar motorists from texting while driving, a prohibition that's still strictly enforced today. Ten years later, a new restriction goes into effect this month that aims to prevent drivers from using handheld devices for other purposes as well.

As of July 23, drivers within the Washington state border are prohibited from using their mobile handheld devices for virtually any reason, including texting, taking pictures, web surfing, email or calling. The crackdown is part of the "Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act," which was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee back in May.

"We are seeing a direct correlation between the amount of distracted driving and an increase in accidents, many involving serious injury," said Scott Sherbourne, MMA Insurance sales director.

Nationwide, an increasing number of drivers continue using their handheld devices behind the wheel, despite laws in place urging them not to and numerous studies concluding that multitasking is extremely dangerous. In 2015, an estimated 3,477 people were killed in distracted driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During the same year, 391,000 were injured, some requiring emergency medical treatment. Yet despite these eye-opening statistics, an estimated 660,000 people use their devices while driving during the daylight hours.

Second offense results in $235 ticket
Lawmakers in Seattle are hopeful that the teeth of the DUIE Act - which was initially scheduled to go into effect in January, according to The Seattle Times - will lead to area motorists thinking twice before picking up their devices. The penalty is $135, almost doubling to $235 if caught a second time.

"We're suffering a scourge of death of our loved ones on our roadways, due to two problems: distracted driving and impaired driving," said Inslee in a statement in May. "I'm signing three bills to confront these scourges head-on."

Eating behind the wheel is considered a secondary offense under the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act. Eating behind the wheel is considered a secondary offense under the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act.

Distracted driving deaths up 32 percent
Doing multiple things at once is all too common in Washington, based on a statewide observational study, the results of which were released earlier this year by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. The study found cell phones to be the most frequent source of distraction for motorists. Deadly distracted driving incidents rose 32 percent in 2015 from the previous year.

"This is a serious trend that is a threat to public safety," Sherbourne warned. "I think many motorists don't take into account that when they drive under the influence of electronics, they not only place themselves at risk, but everyone else on the road."

Angie Ward, WTSC program manager, noted how even one death or injury on the roads is one too many.

"With fatalities from distracted driving increasing, and with drivers engaging in the riskiest type of distracting behavior - cell phone use - reducing distracted driving must become a higher priority," Ward stressed.

Electronic devices aren't the only things that divert Washington motorists from their primary task. The study also found eating, adjusting the radio dials and attending to the needs of passengers were common sources of distraction. However, unlike cell phone use, these distractions are considered secondary offenses, meaning motorists can't be penalized for them unless pulled over for something unrelated, such as speeding.

MMA Insurance advises all its policyholders to respect the law and observe traffic rules. They're not meant to impinge on motorists' liberties, but to ensure that everyone can get to their intended destinations as safely as possible.

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