Senate OKs bill for texting ban

OLYMPIA – The state Senate passed a measure Friday that would ban text-messaging while driving.

The state House earlier this week approved a bill that would require drivers to use hands-free devices when talking on their cell phones.

Friday was the deadline for non-budget-related bills to pass out of both the House and Senate.

The texting measure, which passed on a 32-15 vote, was amended by the Senate. The changes have to be agreed to by the House, which passed the bill in March, before going to Gov. Chris Gregoire.

“I’m just really hopeful that this bill will save lives,” said Rep. Joyce McDonald, R-Puyallup, the bill’s House sponsor.

“In the age of technology we’re in it’s just really important that we keep our eyes on the road and keep our hands on the wheel as much as possible.”

The House’s action on hands-free devices was returned to the Senate, which passed it last month, for concurrence in some changes before heading to the governor.

McDonald predicted the House would concur with the Senate texting changes. The Senate amended the bill to make the infraction a secondary offense, meaning drivers could receive a ticket only if they were pulled over for a primary offense such as speeding or running a red light.

The Senate version also makes sure the ticket doesn’t become part of a driver’s record and clarifies that dialing a phone is not considered text messaging.

The measure exempts transit and emergency vehicle personnel, and anyone who is text messaging to report illegal activity or summon emergency help.

The offense would be a traffic infraction, typically carrying a $101 fine.

Gregoire is expected to sign both the hands-free phoning and text-messaging bills.

Also on Friday, the Senate passed:

“On a 44-4 vote, a measure that encourages the use of cleaner-burning fuels. Among other things, it directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop a program providing school districts with incentives to replace old buses with new ultra-low-sulfur buses.

“On a 42-3 vote, a measure that would prohibit child day-care centers from having window blinds with cords that could strangle young children.