Police launch extra cell phone enforcement patrols this week: 'Text, talk, ticket ... or worse'



KING COUNTY -- The Washington State Patrol and police throughout King County are out to catch people using their cell phones while driving.

Officers are starting extra patrols starting Sunday as part of the "Text, talk, ticket ... or worse" campaign.

It is against state law to text or use your cell phone while driving unless you have a hands-free device.



In 2011, officials say there were 1.3 million crashes involving cell phones, which is 23-percent of all crashes.

Authorities say 1 in 5 drivers of all ages admit to surfing the web while driving.

"Studies have shown that drivers that are texting are six times as likely to be involved in an accident and about a quarter of all crashes in kng County involve distracted driving," said Bellevue Police Officer Seth Tyler. "So we'll be out looking for drivers that are talking on their phones without a hands free device or looking down at their phones and texting."

Drivers caught using their cell phone while driving without a hands-free device face a $124 ticket.