April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Washington law enforcement officers will join the national campaign attempting to curb the temptation of drivers to use their phones.

Many things can distract a driver, but cell phones are the most dangerous. As such, extra patrols will be out on Washington roadways through April 14.

“Cell phones distract drivers differently than eating a hamburger or putting on makeup,” said Washington Traffic Safety Commission program manager Angie Ward. “Holding a phone in your hand takes your hand off the wheel. Reading or entering data into your phone takes your eyes off the road. The biggest problem is that it takes your mind away from the tasks of driving.”

Cell phones cause crashes because they connect us to social and informational interchanges, Ward added. This complex mental task creates a situation where a driver “looks” but doesn’t “see.”

This is the third consecutive year Washington law enforcement officers have participated in the national campaign. The extra patrols are part of Target Zero, which strives to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030. For more information, visit www.targetzero.com.