A study on distracted driving enforcement in Washington
The University of Washington Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center conducted a study on distracted driving enforcement. Using focus groups of police officers from King County, Whatcom County, and Spokane County, researchers identified some common problems, including: distracted driving laws are difficult to enforce. The study participants proposed a solution. Laws should prohibit all forms of electronic distraction while driving. “Officers told us they don’t want to know what someone typing on their phone – just that they shouldn’t be doing it.” said researcher Dr. Beth Ebel. This problem is clearly illustrated in this video, as a driver explains to an officer what he was doing with his phone. Washington state law RCW 46.61.668 prohibits sending, reading, or writing a