State Patrol Starts Emphasis Patrol for April, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Washington State Patrol is starting emphasis patrols for the month to identify distracted drivers.

"Focused driving is safe driving," said Trooper John Bryant. "What's the big thing everyone thinks about? It's the phones. It's a big magnet for some people, they can't let go of them. Looking down at your phone to look at something, you could be traveling a distance on the roadway and not even know where you're at and hit someone."

Trooper Bryant added in this region in particular, animals can unexpectedly cross the road when a driver is preoccupied with a phone or another passenger.

Other agencies are also participating in encouraging focused drivers, including Central Basin Target Zero.