King County drivers better be on their best behavior — these signs are watching you

Every text you take. And every call you make. Every speed sign you break, if you're being unsafe, they'll be watching you.

Some very smart signs aim to send a message to King County drivers who may not behave their best on the road.

A pilot program recently began placing "SmartSigns" throughout King County. The signs use sensors (microwave and infrared tech) that can reportedly determine if a driver is distracted, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, or committing another driving faux pas — what organizers call "unique signatures of unsafe driving."

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When that happens, the driver will be presented with an appropriate message, like "Put your phone down" or "Slow down." On the other hand, if the signs detect a good driver, they'll be greeted with a smiley face.

“Each time a driver passes a SmartSign, it reminds them to drive safely, and that can make a real difference in their behavior,” said SaferStreet Solutions CEO Tim Hogan in a statement. “For instance, SmartSigns reduce distracted driving by up to 40% when left in one area over a four week period. By rotating these signs throughout King County, we can help create a safer driving environment throughout the surrounding community.”

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Four of these signs will rotate across 12 locations in King County, including in: Seattle, Fairwood, Pacific, Algona, Maple Valley, White Center, Skyway, Kenmore, Issaquah, Newcastle, and unincorporated King County. Traffic data was used to determine the locations, and times, to deploy them. They'll be placed at each location eight weeks at a time.

The pilot has been organized by Target Zero King County and the Washington Traffic Safety Coalition. The organizations note that more than 900 people were seriously injured or killed on the road last year in King County.

This is the first time such tech has been used in King County, but organizers hope that they can eventually bring the SmartSigns to other parts of Washington state.

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“We know that the majority of people in King County do the right thing and remain focused on their driving, but there are still far too many families who are being impacted by unsafe driving every year," Target Zero Manager Sara Wood said in a statement. "We hope this campaign reminds everyone that we’re all in this together.”

The signs do not use cameras and cannot collect personal data.