Spokane7
49°
June 10, 2010 in City
Hands off the cell; tickets are $124
Beginning today, if you are seen by police using your cell phone without a hands-free device while you drive you can be issued a ticket
Drivers beware. Starting today, picking up that cell phone could trigger patrol sirens.
For two years, talking or text messaging on a cell phone while driving has been illegal in Washington, but not enough to warrant a stop by police unless another crime or violation was suspected.
That changes today, when a law takes effect that moves the use of wireless devices while driving from a secondary to a primary offense, authorizing law enforcement to slap motorists with a $124 ticket.
“Hopefully people just quit doing it,” said Officer Jennifer DeRuwe, spokeswoman for the Spokane Police Department.
No extra patrols are expected, but don’t expect a grace period.
“Drivers have already had nearly two years to adjust their driving habits,” said Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste. “We will fully enforce this law from day one.”
Law enforcement officials expect an increase in tickets beginning today.
“If you’re holding the phone to your ear, you’re likely to be stopped,” said WSP Capt. Chris Gundermann.
Texting motorists can be more difficult to spot, but police say they’ve had practice.
“We’ll be looking for people who clearly aren’t watching the road,” Gundermann said. “Sooner or later the phone comes up high enough that we can see it and make the stop.”
Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said he’s ticketed several drivers under the secondary offense law – most of whom because they failed to use a turn signal.
“It was because of the cell phone,” Reagan said. “You can’t hold the phone, hold the steering wheel and reach for the turn signal at the same time.”
In 2008, the first year the law was in effect, WSP troopers handed out 824 tickets for talking and 118 for texting statewide. This year so far, WSP troopers have issued 106 tickets for texting and 533 for talking.
In Spokane, 746 tickets were issued for use of a cell phone while driving in 2009, said Steve Hallstrom, chief prosecutor for the city of Spokane. In Spokane County, outside the city, 963 tickets were issued. That includes texting and talking.
“I personally can’t walk and text; I don’t know how people try to drive and text,” Hallstrom said. “Hopefully people will use good judgment, but in the meantime traffic enforcement will be busy.”
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jonmclain on June 10 at 5:54 a.m.
Not only in Washington this rule should be implemented strictly in every state.In Florida messaging or talking phone while driving is a serious violation and has penalty
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bstothart on June 10 at 7:07 a.m.
Why doesn’t this become a national law??? Text messaging while driving is insane. You might as well read a novel.
IHike4Fun on June 10 at 7:35 a.m.
I’ve seen people driving while reading a book.
soccermomsusie on June 10 at 8:05 a.m.
I can’t believe that you are all ready to give up your rights like this. Thank God the Republican Party will soon come back into power (thanks to us tea partiers) and reverse this decision!
I drive a Hummer and if someone were to hit me while they were texting I would be OK. Make a law that everyone has to drive an SUV and eliminate the problem. As long as you mostly stay off the infested sidewalks where transients, socialists, alcoholics, democrats, walkers and bicyclists swarm, you should be OK.
Next thing you know, I will have to give up my tinted windows so the police can see what I am doing in the privacy of my own car. THIS IS AMERICA!! I am sure the socialists would love to make it illegal to watch Glenn Beck DVDs while driving, as well.
Come on Dino! Win this race this time! Don’t let them steal this election one more time! I know you will reverse this law and have us texting and talking the words of Freedom while driving soon!!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
dougfresh on June 10 at 9:49 a.m.
wow soccermom susie, please tell me you are joking…. Many of us drive smaller fuel-efficient cars & don’t want to get plowed into by nimrods texting their friends about how they think Obama is a Muslim born in Africa while driving their 12 mpg SUV.
If you need to talk to someone that badly get a hands free device or PULL OVER.
And the tint limitation laws are in place for the safety of your brat children. Its hard to see an abducted child in the back of a SUV with limo tint all over it.
Coffee on June 10 at 10:00 a.m.
I think the fine should be $1,500. Also set a quota of at least 25 per city cop and 100 per state a day, that should bring some much needed money to the state coffers. Keep in mind it is not just a revenue thing it will save lives and protect children. Just like the tax on candy and cigarettes.
BigE on June 10 at 10:39 a.m.
My question, why did it take so long to make talking and texting illegal ? Does un-common sense point to the fact that we are driving a ton worth of metal at high speeds and we should be paying attention so we don’t kill anyone, nope. We all have rights even when they endanger the general population.
Just tell me this, how many of us have lost loved ones through an auto accident, it never goes away. People have enough issues without compounding their probelms with stupidty behind the wheel of a car.
Support the troops, we need to get our men and women home safely.
spokanada on June 10 at 11:57 a.m.
I wish soccer mom’s comments were still surprising to me but they aren’t. Her level of crazyness might land her a show on Fox.
The good thing about Soccer Mom is that she is a great representitive for the Tea Party. Their antics are meant to threaten the Dems but in reality they are only hurting the republicans.
Anyone want to make a bet that Harry Reid gets re-elected in November?
ZagChuck on June 10 at 4:53 p.m.
Scientific sdata says the laws don’t reduce accidents, damage, injury or death.
“The laws aren’t reducing crashes, even though we know that such laws have reduced hand-held phone use.” –Adrian Lund, president of both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute
in short, these laws are sold with the propaganda of safety, but only seek to generate money for the budgets of lawmakers who can’t put down the check-writing pens.
ValleyGal_2010 on June 11 at 6:22 a.m.
I think it would be easier to catch cell phoners on city streets when speeds are lower. A great way for more revenue… eh?!
lewis8457 on June 11 at 8:45 a.m.
Everything they ticket for is a revenue builder it has nothing to do with our safety.
If they cared about our safety they would have done something about rogue cops beating innocents to death. But no that is OK, but you better buckle up.