Pierce County Law Enforcement Cracks Down On Distracted Driving

LAKEWOOD, WA — Distracted driving is on the decline in Washington, and law enforcement agencies from across Pierce County want to keep it that way.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission on Thursday announced a statewide effort to crack down on distracted driving, putting extra officers on patrol all next week to try and catch drivers who are fiddling with their phones or are otherwise distracted.

“Focused driving means safer roads,” said Erika Mascorro, WTSC Program Manager for Distracted Driving. “The decline in distracted drivers gives us something to cheer as we kick-off distracted driving month. Seeing more people focused on driving is motivation to get all of us off the phone when we’re on the road.”

Participating law enforcement agencies in Pierce County include:

• Bonney Lake Police Department
• Fircrest Police Department
• Gig Harbor Police Department
• Lakewood Police Department
• Orting Police Department
• Pierce County Sheriff’s Office
• Puyallup Police Department
• Sumner Police Department
• Tacoma Police Department
• Washington State Patrol

All of the above will have extra officers out on the roads working with “spotters” on foot at intersections, looking for distracted drivers from April 3 through the 11th— so make sure to keep that cell phone tucked away where it belongs.

“People save lives when they turn off their phones before they start their cars,” said Mascorro. “Make focused driving a habit by putting your phone in the glove box, by taking 10 minutes before you drive to catch up on phone calls or text messages, or by setting up music or navigation before you drive. We can refuse, like most Washington drivers, to let our phones endanger our lives.”

The distracted driving rate grew about 3 percent at the start of the pandemic, but has since declined from 9.4 percent in 2020 to 6.9 percent— close to pre-pandemic levels.

In Washington, it is illegal to use a cell phone without a hands-free device while on the road. Texting while driving is also illegal.

According to the Bonney Lake Police Department, 30 percent of Washington's deadly car crashes involve distracted drivers. Distracted driving is also on the rise, seeing a 29 percent increase in distracted driving related traffic fatalities between 2013 and 2017. Talking on a cell phone increases the risk of crashing by up to three times, and texting increases crash risk 23 times.

“Our hope is that all Washington drivers will choose to put focus first. Distracted Driving Awareness month is a great time to begin a lifelong habit of putting your phone away before you drive,” Mascorro said. “And the decline in distracted driving over the past year should encourage all of us to do it.”