Startling Results Show Texting While Driving Increases in Washington | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

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Pemco Insurance, a Seattle, Washington auto insurance company, has recently completed a poll concerning cell phone use while driving among Washington residents. The survey showed disturbing results as it seems Washington drivers are texting while driving more frequently than in the past. Not just more frequently, but WAY more frequently.

Pemco’s study showed the number of Washington drivers who admitted to using their cell phone while driving has increased from 17 percent 20 months ago to 41 percent now. During this same time period, drivers who admitted to sending text messages while driving rose from 3 percent to 22 percent. Unbelievable! And in only 20 months! The study also showed that the people who admitted these actions the most are adults under the age of 55 who have teenage children living at home. I guess the bad habits of the kids are rubbing off on their parents, but then the parents are being even more recless than their teenagers.

These results are not encouraging and we clearly need to do more to end distracted driving in our communities. We all know how dangerous the habit of texting while driving is, so why must we continue to do it? If this many people are aware of their actions, they should realize the dangers associated with them and be able to make a conscious effort to stop. How many people need to be maimed or injured in sensless auto accidents?

While it is currently illegal to use your phone and send text messages in Washington, it is only a secondary offense. Perhaps it is finally time to make cell phone use in the car a primary offense in order to keep our roads safe. In fact, legislation is currently pending which would make texting while driving a primary offense. More information can be found about the legislation and the group sponsiring it at www.nodistractions.org.

Please do not use your cell phones while driving and check out the website, Teens Against Distracted Driving. TADD is a national movement with a mission of getting everyone, but especially teenagers, to stop texting while driving. Encourage your teenagers to go to www.TeensAgainstDistractedDriving.com and take the pledge. They will even get a free TADD bracelet (similar to the Lance Armstrong Livestrong bracelets)!

This information is provided by www.straighttalklaw.com, where you can order free books on Washington auto accidents, auto insurance, and other valuable legal information, offered as a public service by Jason Epstein and his law practice Premiere Law Group in Seattle, Washington.