Distracted driving is a serious problem that continues to put the people of Washington in danger. This reality was made clear this past week when a 23-year-old was involved in a deadly accident in Grandview.
Washington State Patrol officials report that the driver involved in the crash is behind bars following the deadly collision.
On Saturday morning, the 23-year-old driver was traveling down Mountainview Road when he looked down at his phone. As a result, he ran a stop sign, crashing into a vehicle. The 59-year-old man behind the wheel in the second car died almost instantly.
This horrific accident reminds us that distracted driving is still all too common in Washington.
Authorities Warn Drivers: Do Not Ignore Washington’s Distracted Driving Laws
Washington law enforcement agents strictly enforce the state’s new distracted driving law, which allows drivers to use hands-free devices only. Officials say that if you are using your GPS or listening to music, start the app on your phone before taking off so you won’t be pulled over.
Even if you stop in traffic because of a light, you may not handle your phone for any reason.
This law is strict precisely because driving while distracted increases the risk of accidents.
The latest example of careless distracted driving marks the 18th deadly crash this year, WSP officials say. But hopefully, with agents actively enforcing distracted driving laws regularly, we will see a decrease in similar accidents in Washington state in the future.
If you are a driver, do not forget that you are responsible for the vehicle you’re operating and for following traffic rules.
When you sit behind the wheel, you are responsible for your life and the lives of others. Being careless or reckless increases the risk of accidents, putting lives in danger.
If you would like to know more about this horrific accident, follow this link.