preview

Persuasive Essay On Distracted Driving

Decent Essays

On July 23, Washington state’s newest distracted-driving law went into effect in an attempt to reach target zero. According to Washington Traffic Safety Commission,
“Washington aims to end traffic deaths and serious injury by the year 2030.” As of 2016,
Washington was nowhere near this goal.
According to Washington State Department of Transportation, distraction was involved in over 12,300 crashes statewide in 2016, 79 of which were fatal. Cellphone use was specifically linked to more than 700 of those crashes. Last year, 22,300 drivers were examined by the traffic commission at more than 300 different intersections, and research found that 9.2 percent of drivers were distracted in some form, and 5.6 percent were distracted by a phone.
Governor …show more content…

Previously, the law does not necessarily ban texting while stopped at a traffic light; the law was previously meant to stop phones from being held at the ear.
While these changes may seem strict, there are a few exceptions. Drivers are still allowed to use their phone is they are contacting 911 or another emergency service, if they are parked outside of the flow of traffic, or starting a GPS or music before a trip. Bluetooth is still OK, and so is starting a device with a single touch.
So what’s the cost if you’re caught using a device behind the wheel? The first ticket for a distracted-driving offence, if electronic devices are involved, will cost at least $136.
Per infraction, the cost will increase. A second ticket within five years of the first will run at
$234. What hasn’t changed is that drivers who are eating, drinking, smoking, reading, or doing their makeup in a way that interferes with driving could see a secondary $99 ticket.
In addition to these fines, driver’s insurance companies will now be alerted of infractions related to cell phone use, which was not done under the previous law. With new technology emerging, applications such as Snapchat and Instagram have become

Get Access