Alternatively: Distracted Driving Remains Serious Problem in the Garden State
Distracted Driving Decreases in Washington State
AAA survey finds a 46% decline in Washington drivers sending texts while behind the wheel compared to 2018.

In Washington state, more drivers appear to be keeping their hands on the wheel and off their phones as compared with 2018 data.
Photo: Michael Discenza/Unsplash
A recent survey by AAA found that 82% of Washington state drivers say they no longer hold their cell phones while behind the wheel as compared with just 69% in 2018, reports Patch.
When asked why they no longer handle or manipulate their phones while driving the reasons varied. Some respondents noted that passengers and children asked them to stop because they felt unsafe. Others pointed to crash scene images and real-life accounts from people who either caused or survived a distracted driving collision.
Moreover, when asked about specific risky behaviors over the last month, AAA said there was a 46% decline in drivers sending texts while driving as compared with 2018, notes the report.
But the survey is still sobering. While statewide distracted driving rates have fallen to around their pre-pandemic levels, officials said nearly 30% of deadly car crashes involved at least one distracted driver. Even with the downward trend, Washington saw nearly 18,000 crashes related to distracted driving in 2021, according to Patch.
Nationally, distracted driving continues to be one of today’s most dangerous roadway problems. Some 3,142 people lost their lives on U.S. roadways in 2020 due to distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
More Safety

Managing Road Risk at Scale: Why Fleet Safety Needs a Data-Driven Framework
Insights from the FIA Road and Driver Safety Indexes reveal how to manage road risk on a larger scale.
Read More →
Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk
Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.
Read More →
Coaching Is Not Training, Even When AI Is Doing It
AI-powered safety platforms can detect risky behaviors and deliver immediate feedback. But effective driver development still requires a foundation of training followed by coaching that reinforces those skills.
Read More →
How Emotions Behind the Wheel Can Affect Fleet Safety
During National Safety Month, fleets are encouraged to look beyond distracted driving and recognize how stress, fatigue, and emotional well-being influence driver performance and crash risk.
Read More →
Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award
Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention
Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.
Read More →
NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference
The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
Read More →
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
