In an effort to reduce the number of distracted driving collisions, the Redmond Police Department’s (RPD) traffic division is enforcing Washington’s cell phone laws in targeted areas around the city starting Tuesday.

Throughout the state, police officers have joined together to heighten awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and educate drivers about cell phone laws. Redmond police will conduct distraction patrols within high crash areas and where cell phone use among drivers is greatest.

Distracted driving is a significant cause of personal injury and property damage collisions, with cell phone use as the most common distraction across the nation. In 2013 there were 891 collisions in Redmond and 38 percent were rear-end collisions, which are typically the fault of inattentive drivers. The national average of distracted driving collisions is between 22-30 percent in one year. The City of Redmond is above the national average at 38 percent, further stressing the urgency and importance of good law enforcement to help make it safer for drivers in Redmond.

To reinforce this message, the city has recently installed 19 “Hang Up and Drive” signs throughout Redmond to help end distracted driving. Drivers can do their part by keeping their eyes on the road, their hands on the wheel and their mind on their driving.

For clarification of Washington’s cell phone laws or any of the state’s rules of the road, contact. Lt. Doug Krueger of the RPD’s traffic division at dkrueger@redmond.gov or at (425) 556-2570.