Click-It-Or-Ticket Cellphone Infractions Double During Recent Mid-Columbia Sweep

All Mid-Columbia law enforcement agencies joined in the most recent traffic sweep.

May 20 through June 2 saw police, sheriffs and the Washington State Patrol catch double the number of distracted drivers over last year.

A distracted driver is one who is seen texting or talking on their cellphone while driving. Julie Furlong of the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission said Monday the number of seat-belt violations dropped by almost half, but the number of people cited for distracted driving went from 16 in 2012 to 43 in 2013.

Seat-belt violations last year totaled 133, but only 77 during this most recent series of emphasis patrols. In addition, 71 speeding violations were issued, 34 uninsured motorists were cited, 12 arrested for driving with a suspended license, and 9 tickets were issued for child passenger safety infractions -- children improperly restrained or buckled in a vehicle.

These sweeps are part of the state's Target Zero program. The goal of the plan is to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries via accidents in Washington state by the year 2030.