EDITORIAL: Drivers need crash course in paying attention

March 18-- Mar. 18--We're getting better. That is the good news. But when it comes to distracted driving, Washington motorists still have a lot of room for improvement.

According to QuoteWizard, an online insurance marketplace, drivers in this state ranked as the 10th worst in the nation in 2018 -- the first year a distracted driving law was enforced. That was an improvement from 2017, when we ranked as the fifth-worst.

Locally, in terms of per-capita crashes attributed to distracted driving, Vancouver ranked 20th among cities in Washington, while Camas was 42nd. That makes us thankful we don't live in Edmonds or SeaTac or Tacoma, the cities where such crashes are most prevalent.

All of which provides an opportunity to remind drivers that you don't really need to check out your Facebook page or send that text while behind the wheel. It can wait until you arrive at your destination.

That is the purpose behind a distracted driving law that went into effect in July 2017, with full enforcement beginning in January 2018. The bill, spearheaded by Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, made it illegal to hold a cellphone, tablet or other electronic device while on a public roadway, even while stopped. The use of a finger to activate a device such as GPS navigation or the air conditioning is still allowed.

While the law apparently has helped to reduce incidents of distracted driving, reminders of the danger involved are necessary. As Trooper Heather Axtman of the Washington State Patrol told The Bellingham Herald: "At first, we saw everyone comply, but now we're seeing people get complacent. Some people still think that they can have it. You look over and every couple of seconds they're looking down. Really? You're not admiring your shoes."

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, in 2017 there were eight fatalities and 24 serious injuries in Clark County attributed to distracted driving. Through the first half of 2018 (the latest numbers available), two fatalities and 19 serious injuries fell under that category.

The sample size is small thus far, making it impossible to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the new law. And while we editorially support the legislation, continued education will be just as important for reducing the number of distracted drivers.

The dangers of being inattentive behind the wheel are self-evident; if you look away from the road for only four seconds while driving 60 mph, your car travels 352 feet -- more than the length of a football field.

And the advent of cellphones and other handheld electronics have created a new distraction. As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration writes: "Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system -- anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving." And don't get us started on trying to shave or apply makeup while looking in the rearview mirror.

All of this can be expensive. The first ticket under the 2017 law will cost $136, while a second ticket within five years will result in a fine of $234. Not to mention an increase in your insurance rates or the price of car repairs if you don't watch where you are going.

So consider this a helpful reminder: Washington has strict laws designed to keep other motorists safe from your distractions. Failing to pay attention simply is not worth the risk.

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