OLYMPIA – For the second year in a row, more than 100 law enforcement agencies in Washington State will be cracking down on distracted drivers as part of the national distracted driving enforcement campaign.

Between April 1 and April 15, high visibility enforcement efforts will target motorists who are observed talking on handheld cell phones and sending text messages. The slogan of the national campaign is “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.”

A kick-off event for the campaign will take place in Spokane on April 1. At the event, Jim and Lisa Thompson will unveil a road sign to be erected this spring at the site near Colfax where their son, Sam, (pictured at left) died after he crossed the center line while texting and driving. The statewide patrols will be conducted in honor of Sam.

These and all extra patrols are part of Target Zero—striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030. For more information, visit www.targetzero.com. Additional information on the Washington Traffic Safety Commission can be found on the website, www.wtsc.wa.gov.

Rescue personnel work at the scene of Sam Thompson’s crash.

Sam Thompson’s car.