Focused Driving Overview
Focused driving is safe driving! It’s time to refocus Washington road users on that message.
With enforcement at historic low levels in 2020 during the pandemic, the statewide distracted driver rate increased from 6.8 percent in 2019 to 9.4 percent last year. Distracted driving behavior on city streets rose from one in every 10 drivers to nearly one in every five; driver distraction on county roads also doubled.
While distracted driving increased in 2020, most of us do focus behind the wheel – 90% of Washington drivers avoid distractions while driving. But until we get to 100%, our roads aren’t as safe as they could be.
But together, we can make our roads safer.
Help us get that message out by sharing the key messages, video and radio ads, and social media graphics available for you to use on this webpage. These materials reinforce positive, action-oriented messages that everyone can adopt. We hope you find them useful and will share widely.
If we all focus on doing our part, we can prevent crashes from distracted driving.
Focused driving is safe driving
If we all focus on doing our part, we can prevent crashes from distracted driving.
- Drivers – put your phone away, turn it off or put in on airplane mode
- Passengers – encourage drivers to stay focused.
- Parents – set rules and be an example of a focused driver.
- Employers – establish a policy that encourages focused driving.
In Washington, 90% of us focus when we drive, but until we get to 100% our roads are not as safe as they could be.
The number one thing you can do to help is put your phone away while driving. And help others do the same.
The hope is that by highlighting distracted driving prevention, we can help everyone build safety habits that are not dependent on fear of getting a ticket.
Sample Social Media Messages & Graphics
The following are sample graphics and related content that we encourage you to use on your organization’s social media. Feel free to adapt for use on your website or customized emails too.
Want to help end crashes from distracted driving? Put your phone away…and help others do the same.
https://www.togetherwegetthere.com/distracted-driving/
Turn your phone off, set it to do not disturb, or put it in airplane mode.
https://www.togetherwegetthere.com/distracted-driving/
Tips:
- Show them you care and their safety is important.
- Be clear and calm.
- Acknowledge the dangers of distracted driving directly.
https://www.togetherwegetthere.com/distracted-driving/
Family safety comes first. Make focused driving a family affair.
https://www.togetherwegetthere.com/distracted-driving/
Flyers/Rack Cards
These documents can be downloaded for print and used as rack cards or flyers. They are intended to be printed front and back, with the message and action steps for each audience on one side and information about Washington’s distracted driving law on the back.
Video Links
Using short videos is a popular way to reinforce messages important to instilling safe driving practices and behavior for our teen drivers. Feel free to embed in your social media posts, email messages, or on your website.
Radio Ads
