Distracted Driving Decreases Slightly in Washington
A new observational survey finds a slight decrease in distracted driving in Washington, with the distraction rate dipping by 1% in 2018 as compared to 2017, reports MyNorthwest.

Distracted driving in the state of Washington declined 1% in 2018.
Photo via Jim Legans Jr/Flickr.
A new observational survey finds a slight decrease in distracted driving in Washington, with the distraction rate dipping by 1% in 2018 as compared to 2017, reports MyNorthwest.
Specifically, the survey revealed that 8.2% of drivers in 2018 engaged in distracted behaviors behind the wheel—down from 9.2% in 2017.
The data comes from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission who conducted the survey.
The most significant improvement relates to drivers holding cell phones. In 2016 and 2017, 5.6% and 5.7% of observed drivers were holding or using cell phones. In 2018, that number fell to 3.4%, reports The Monroe Monitor.
While cell phone use decreased, other distractions such as eating and tuning a radio increased.
Holding a cell phone comprised 41% of total distractions in 2018 — down from 61% in 2017. However, all behaviors under the "other distractions" category—grooming, smoking, fiddling with radios — made up 44.7% of total distractions, up from 22% in 2017, reports MyNorthwest.
The reduction in cell phone use may be linked to a law passed in 2017 in Washington that prohibits any hand-held device use while operating a motor vehicle, note reports.
More Safety

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 →
How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
How to Speak the Same Language on Fleet Safety
Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.
Read More →
Fleet Cybersecurity 101: What You Need from Your Technology Vendors
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
Read More →
Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →