The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) has released a report on its observational survey of distracted driving performed in June 2018.
The survey findings estimate the driver distraction rate was 8.2 percent in 2018, down from 9.2 percent in both 2016 and 2017, although this change was not significant. Driver distraction includes all activities that divert attention and full engagement from the task of driving including general inattention (lost in thought), smoking, eating, grooming, reading, interactions with passengers or vehicle controls, and electronic device use.
In 2018, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of drivers holding a cell phone. In 2016 and 2017, 5.6 and 5.7 percent (respectively) of observed drivers were holding or manipulating cell phones. In 2018, this dropped to 3.4 percent of drivers. However, in 2018 there was also a significant increase in drivers engaged in “other distracting behavior,” such as eating, tuning a radio, or attending to pets or children. In 2016 and 2017, cell phones were the source of three quarters of distractions. In 2018, due to the decrease in handheld cell phone use and the increase in “other distractions,” cell phones are the source of just over half of driver distractions.
In 2017, Washington passed the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics (E-DUI) Act, which prohibits any hand-held device use while operating a vehicle. The report provides the baseline measure of driver distraction prior to the new law’s effective date and one year following.
To view the full report, visit wtsc.wa.gov/download/10184/. For more information on the E-DUI law and distracted driving, visit wadrivetozero.com/distracted-driving.
Dave says
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/Highway Loss Data Institute there were 536 fatal accidents resulting in 565 actual deaths in Washington in 2017. Though the number involving distracted driving is not listed, that was still 565 too many.
Who was doing the observing during these studies? There remain far too many drivers using phones for calling and texting while driving. It doesn’t take much observation to see vehicles weaving over the lane lines due to drivers texting while the device is on their lap or elsewhere. Passing to get ahead of them (if it is safe to do so) seems to be a good idea so any possible accident is behind you.
More officers in unmarked cars would be a benefit for this problem. Enough with warnings. Actual tickets resulting in heavy fines for the FIRST infraction are in order.