Spokane7
55°
March 27, 2010 in City
Mobile phone law gets tougher
Drivers may now be pulled over for most calls, texting
OLYMPIA – Starting this summer, drivers better use a headset if they’re talking on their cell phones. And don’t even think about texting your friend while cruising down the interstate.
Gov. Chris Gregoire on Friday signed into law a bill that makes it a primary offense to be caught holding a cell phone to your ear while driving, or to be reading, writing or sending text messages.
“This is a public safety issue,” Gregoire said just before signing the bill.
The new law upgrades the state’s law for both, which had only slapped drivers with an extra fine if they were pulled over for another infraction, such as speeding.
Last year, under current law, more than 1,607 people received tickets for using a cell phone without a headset, said state patrol Sgt. Freddy Williams. More than 230 people were ticketed for texting while driving.
Starting on June 10, police can immediately pull over someone for texting or talking without a headset and give them a $124 ticket.
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said the state would work to educate drivers in the coming months about the impending law, and he said that his officers would probably just give warnings to early lawbreakers before moving to full enforcement.
Batiste said that while he’d prefer drivers not talk on the phone at all, the new law is a step in the right direction.
A ticket won’t become part of a driver’s record and dialing a phone is not considered text messaging. The new law exempts transit and emergency vehicle personnel, as well as anyone who is text messaging or calling without a headset to report illegal activity or summon emergency help. People who are using a hearing aid or operating a tow truck are also exempt.
It also outlaws any cell phone use – even with a headset – by a driver with a learner’s permit or an intermediate license, which is given to drivers under 18 years old.
Washington joins a handful of states – including California, New Jersey and Oregon – in making texting and talking without a headset a primary offense, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. More than a dozen states have passed laws regulating cell phone use by drivers.
Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way and sponsor of the measure, said that the public has had enough of distracted drivers.
“They want people to get into their cars from point A to point B, and get there safely,” she said.
© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Man dies following early Saturday accident 
Censored on March 27 at 1:14 a.m.
WOW.. CA did lets do it here.. CA is the most broke state!! when will our followers in Wa learn to lead? Start your patrols on who is on the phone.. another excuse to continue to NOT FIGHT REAL CRIME…
biker on March 27 at 9:19 a.m.
This is a long time coming. It is a privilege to drive and one must ensure they are not being a hazard to others. I could care less if they are endangering their own lives. The “government” is not infringing on peoples rights in this matter. Die hard users are endangering the lives of others. Look at the stats, or better yet….just use common sense. What is sad is that it takes the “government” to enforce something that a prudent person should realize is an inherent danger when screaming down the roadway behind 2 tons of steel.
deacon46 on March 27 at 10:01 a.m.
There are lots of idiots on the road who have trouble just breathing and driving without adding in other distractions. Too weak a law but a good second step.
Barcroft on March 27 at 2:29 p.m.
Barb Spencer—Are these the stats to which you refer?:
http://www.iihs.org/news/2010/hldi_news_012910.pdf
lewis8457 on March 27 at 3:51 p.m.
will this law apply to cops too? I see a lot of cops driving around talking on a phone.
misjustice on March 27 at 4:25 p.m.
No. Lewis, they as well as other emergency personnel and tow truck operators are exempt…as are citizens that are calling in emergencies…
Police officers often are getting updates on calls via phone system as usually their other ear has the radio link in and using their in-vehicle computers while driving would be too dangerous…
edmitch on March 27 at 6:42 p.m.
Will anyone in the state being checking back in the years ahead to see if it makes a difference in numbers of crashes or fatalities?