We all know that distractions and driving don’t mix. Here in Washington, we’ve enacted laws to curb cell phone usage while driving, among other things. Yet, collisions continue to happen. In our brief post today, we’ll answer the question “how many accidents are caused by distracted driving in Washington?”  Distracted Driving Statistics 2017-2021 For our post, we pulled data from the WSDOT Crash Portal.  Here are some highlights. For the years 2017-2021: There were a total of 150,867 distracted driving related crashes. An average of around 30,000 distracted driving related crashes each of these 5 years.  A total of 550 fatalities

Hiking is a popular activity here in the Pacific Northwest and for good reason: we’re home to more than 1,200 trails! While some hike year-round, without a doubt summer is the busiest season.  Here are a few basic safety tips to keep in mind as you hit the trails: 1. Select your trail wisely. Make sure that the trail you choose is suitable for the time you have, your fitness ability, and your experience. Reading descriptions and reviews can be an invaluable source of help. Is the trail well marked? Does it have significant elevation gain? 2. Research the conditions.

With summer almost here, more of us may be opting to hit the roads on our bikes. Whether for exercise or commuting, biking is an eco-friendly and enjoyable way to get around.  Here are a few ways you can stay safe on your bike this summer (and all year-long!):  1. Wear a helmet. There is a reason this is our first tip: wearing helmets save lives. Even if you think you’ll “be careful” or you’re “just going a few blocks away,” we encourage you to wear your helmet each ride, every ride.  2. Wear reflective gear. Even though the days

Perhaps some of your summer plans this year include taking your family to a pool. Whether it’s a public or private pool, we have a few tips to share.  1. Always supervise your children. This one should go without saying, but it’s worth repeating. Children need to be watched in and around water. Also, be aware anytime you bring your child to an area that has a pool, even if you don’t intend to swim. According to the Red Cross, 69% of young children who drown were not expected to be in water.  2. Teach your children to be mindful of

Summer is fast approaching. For some of us, that means hiking. Others, it’s boating. Or taking in a baseball game. Whatever activities you enjoy, here are a few tips to make it a safe and fun summer.  Heat Safety  Here in western Washington, the temperatures are pretty mild year-round. Which means when things heat up, we may need a refresher on how to stay safe. Here are some ideas: Wear sunscreen Stay hydrated Avoid/limit time outdoors during hottest part of the day Close windows and cover with drapes Water Safety  Many of us like to cool off at the pool,

After a car accident happens, we ask those involved “are you OK?” We ask this question to determine if anyone is physically hurt. But it’s important that we also ask about victims’ mental health in the days that follow. A car accident is a traumatic event that can trigger emotional upheaval. One potential outcome is depression. In our post today, we’ll discuss why someone might feel depressed following an accident, what signs to watch for, and steps you should take to get help. Feelings of Depression Following a Crash  After a collision, those involved may feel a range of strong