Patrols slated for April 1-14

For the third consecutive year, Washington law enforcement officers will join a national campaign aimed at curbing drivers' use of their phones while driving. Extra patrols will run from April 1 to April 14. The patrols will be in observance of Distracted Driving Awareness month during April.

Angie Ward, Washington Traffic Safety Commission program manager, noted, “holding a phone in your hand takes your hand off the wheel. Reading or entering data into your phone takes your eyes off the road. The biggest problem is that it takes your mind away from the tasks of driving.”

Recent AAA research has shown it takes nearly 30 seconds after ending the call or text for a driver's mind to return its focus to driving. Dr. Beth Ebel was lead author of the Harborview studies.

The extra patrols are part of Target Zero, the commission's aim to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030.