Texting, calling at the wheel still a problem

If you’ve seen people texting or talking on the phone while driving — or if you’ve been doing it yourself — a new poll shows you’re not alone.

It’s dangerous, illegal, and people still are doing it.

A recent poll by PEMCO insurance found that most people are aware of state laws prohibiting texting and hand operation of phones while driving, and some are knowingly violating those laws. Many of those are younger drivers, according to the poll.

In Washington state and the Portland metro area, about half of those surveyed under age 35 say they sometimes text behind the wheel. About 20 percent of drivers under age 35 also admit to talking on a hand-held phone at least occasionally while driving.

The poll shows that regardless of age, some drivers confess to trying to conceal their cellphone use to keep from being seen by police.

According to the poll, almost one-quarter of younger drivers and about 10 percent of all drivers admit to holding their phone, but away from their ear, when using their mobile phone while driving at least some of the time.

About 25 percent of drivers who admit they violate the law say they hold their phone on their lap or below the window to avoid being seen. About 13 percent don’t even try to hide it – they use their phone as if it were legal.

According to the poll, one-third of respondents rode in a vehicle driven by a texter in the past month. Of those passengers, 82 percent in Washington and 88 percent in Portland asked at least once that the driver stop texting.

On average, sending a text causes a driver to look away from the road for 4.6 seconds, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. At 55 miles per hour, a vehicle can travel the length of a football field while the driver’s attention is diverted.

The transportation department estimates that drivers who text while on the road contribute to at least 100,000 collisions each year, and the National Safety Council estimates that cell phone use is a factor in nearly one in four crashes.

Nearly one-third of the poll respondents didn’t know it’s still illegal to send or read text messages when sitting at a red light.

The poll indicates that drivers do attempt to use some measure of caution while on their cell phones. About half (48 percent) of young drivers (35 years of age or younger) in Washington say they use the speakerphone function while driving.

The responses were collected by FBK Research of Seattle in November 2013. For more information, go to www.pemco.com/poll.

Driver’s license terms extended

The state has begun issuing new driver’s licenses for six years instead of five, according to the state Department of Licensing.

Later this year, at a date yet to be determined, renewals will be issued for six years as well.

The fee for a motorcycle certification changes from a flat $25 fee, which must be paid each time the person’s driver’s license is renewed, to a $15 fee plus $2 for each year until the next license renewal.

The overall fee for new licensees will increase from $80 to $89. This includes $9 per year for each year of the license and a $35 application fee.

People applying for a state ID card also now will receive a card for six years instead of five, at the same fee for driver’s licenses minus the application fee.

The Legislature in 2012 approved extending driver’s license terms from five to six to cut volumes and wait times in licensing offices.

E-mail us at streetsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your city of residence.

Look for updates on our Street Smarts blog at www.heraldnet.com/streetsmarts.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.