Summer's here; drive safely

Now that school's out, there are a lot more young people out and about, both as pedestrians and driving cars. And we want all of them to still be around when school resumes in the fall.

The situation calls for extra caution on the part of all drivers. There has already been a local fatality involving a 3-year-old run over in a driveway, which serves as an extreme example of how quickly tragedy can strike.

Another concern stems from a recent story in this newspaper, which quoted grim statistics contained in a report commissioned by Allstate Insurance Co. and based on statistics from 2000 to 2006.

The company used its claims data and federal reports and found that on a national level, Memorial Day through Labor Day is the deadliest time for teen drivers. Not coincidentally, that's the time frame for warm-weather driving while school's out.

On top of that, rural teen drivers in Washington were 105 percent more likely to be in a fatal crash than those in urban areas -- making it the 17th deadliest state in the country in that category. That's a list where we don't want to be anywhere near the top.

Central Washington has a lot of rural areas, so it's a ranking worth noting -- for both parents and young drivers.

We always point out that common sense is one of the most important assets when driving, particularly for teens. As Allstate spokesman Ryan Priest told our reporter: "Don't talk on your cell phone and drive, always wear your seat belt, don't speed. One death is too many. Until we get that number down to zero, we need to make sure teens are getting behind the wheel safely."

The state Legislature has already pitched in with legislation aimed at doing just that. Teen drivers are required to get considerable instruction and chaperoned experience behind the wheel before they can receive a driver's license.

Two recent measures will address the cell-phone issue (and, yes, adults are guilty, too) by banning their use behind the wheel unless the phone is equipped with a hands-free listening device that covers only one ear. That new law goes into effect July 1.

Texting on cell phones while driving is already illegal, as of Jan. 1.

Both offenses carry a $124 fine. Violations are a secondary offense, meaning a motorist has to first be pulled over for something else. But, of course, that means the perpetrator could be facing at least two fines for one stop.

The state's seat-belt law started as a secondary infraction, but is now primary -- meaning you can be pulled over for that by itself. We'd like to see the cell-phone laws head in the same direction in the near future. When something is against the law, it's against the law, period. Infractions should be dealt with.

That's not being punitive, that's just realizing that sometimes motorists need a little extra incentive to bring common sense to their driving.

So, let's enjoy the summer. But above all, drive safely while doing so.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Sarah Jenkins, Bill Lee and Karen Troianello.

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