PRIORITY AREA
Driving focused
Eyes on the road, not the phone.
Data trends
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92%
of King County adults agree that using a phone while driving is not ok.
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Self-reported distracted driving
has increased, especially due to increased app usage, texting, and emailing.
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Up to age 40
Drivers up to the age of 40 are most likely to drive distracted. Younger, higher-income, urban males are almost 2x as likely to be distracted drivers.
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12%
Fatal crashes due to distracted driving in King County declined from 23% in 2019 to 12% in 2022, after increasing from 17% in 2018.
The law
No cell phone while driving
E-DUI Cell Phone Restrictions
The E-DUI law states that drivers may not hold cell phones or watch videos while driving, stopped in traffic, or at a stop light. Hands-free use is limited to a single touch device.
How you can help
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Drivers – Plan ahead
Before you put the car in drive, buckle up, adjust the seat and mirrors, set the radio and GPS, and put your phone out of reach.
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Drivers – Turn it off
Turn off your phone or put it in “Do Not Disturb” mode.
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Drivers – Put it out of reach
Put your phone physically out of reach like in the glove box, back seat, or give it to a passenger.
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Drivers – Use GPS safely
Enter your destination before you start driving and use a dash-mounted phone stand can to keep phone in view without blocking visibility.
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Drivers – Set clear expectations
Make sure your families, workplace, and community know that on the road means off the phone.
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Passengers – Help the driver
Offer to hold the driver’s phone, enter a destination on GPS, or send a text for them.
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Passengers – Speak up
If you find yourself in a car with a distracted driver, kindly and calmly ask them to stay focused on the road.
Campaigns
A flexible module for current campaigns, downloadable materials, community actions, and partner resources.