Police Across WA Start E-DUI Crackdown Today

REDMOND, WA - Put down the bagel. Stop texting. Put away the makeup, and definitely put down that book. Over 150 police departments across Washington will be participating in a crackdown on distracted driving. A new law enacted in 2017 places tougher restrictions on using a phone while driving, also called E-DUI.

The emphasis, organized by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, will run April 2 - 14. Police are always on the lookout for distracted drivers, but this month there will be extra patrols looking out for lawbreakers.

According to WTSC, drivers are three times more likely to crash if using a cell phone while driving.

“Our goal is to raise public awareness about the dangers of distracted driving,” said Erika Mascorro, program manager for WTSC in a press release. “Research shows that drivers are three times more likely to crash when talking on the phone, and 23 times more likely to crash when entering information into their phone.”

This emphasis comes after dozens of departments in King County stepped up E-DUI patrols at the end of March.

If you get caught driving while distracted, the new state law allows for a $136 fine. If you get caught again within five years, the fine goes up to $234.

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