Get off phone, lawmakers tell drivers

OLYMPIA – Shut up and drive.

So says the state House of Representatives, which voted Wednesday to ban using a handheld cell phone while driving.

“This bill sends a message to all the drivers all across this state that talking on your cell phone while driving is dangerous,” said Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island.

“We all know there’s more people out there with cell phones attached to their ears” while driving, said Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, who’s been trying to get such a ban passed for seven years. “It has become an epidemic.”

The bill now returns to the Senate, which last month approved a nearly identical bill. Assuming the Senate concurs, it then heads to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it into law. It would take effect in July 2008. Four states have similar laws, with a fifth taking effect in California next year.

In Olympia, lawmakers clashed over the bill Wednesday, with most Democrats supporting it and most Republicans opposed.

Proponents cited studies suggesting that talking on a cell phone is like driving drunk.

People who choose not to wear a seat belt hurt only themselves, said Rep. Joyce McDonald, R-Puyallup. But distracted drivers chatting obliviously on a phone, she said, take everyone’s lives in their hands.

“And that is not your right,” she said.

Almost a year and a half ago, a Deer Park man, Clifford L. Helm, drove across a highway median and into an oncoming truck, severely injuring Jeffrey Schrock and killing five of his children. Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker has said Helm was using his cell phone just before or during the crash.

Critics argued that it’s unfair and impractical to single out cell phones from a long list of in-car distractions – stereos, navigation systems, unruly children, a messy burrito.

“We have taken our cars to a whole new level in this country,” said Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis. “They’re our offices. They’re our second homes.”

“It’s amazing, the multitasking that’s going on,” said Rep. Glenn Anderson, R-Fall City, describing seeing people rooting around in their glove compartments for a CD while sailing down the freeway. “I would love to think we could outlaw idiocy in this state.”

Under Senate Bill 5037, drivers could be cited for a traffic infraction if they hold a cell phone or other wireless device to their ear while driving. It would be a secondary offense, meaning they couldn’t be pulled over solely for talking on their cell phones. Instead, the infraction would be added to other violations, such as for speeding or running a red light.

The bill exempts people who are calling to report an emergency, people who use an earpiece or speakerphone, and emergency workers. It also wouldn’t apply to handheld radio microphones, like CB radios, or to cell phones used in a similar “push-to-talk” or “walkie-talkie” mode.

Opponents of the bill on Wednesday tried unsuccessfully to tack on several amendments. One, intended to make the point that the bill unfairly targets just one distraction, would have banned eating while driving.

“Big Mac, Breakfast Jack, pizza, and one of my favorites: Big Blizzard. These are all things that I frequently have my hands on when I’m driving,” said Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum.

“While he’s engaging in Big Macs and Blizzards, there are hair curlers, mascara, eye drops, lipstick, baby bottles, baby pacifiers and maybe the occasional back hand to the back seat,” added Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. “Where does it stop?”

When that tactic failed, some lawmakers tried to exempt truckers and cabdrivers. No dice. They also tried to limit the ban to King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

“I think we could get along really fine without this particular law,” said Rep. Steve Hailey, R-Mesa.

But proponents said it’s just as dangerous to drive with a phone to your ear in Vancouver as it is in Seattle. Maybe more so, one lawmaker said.

“From my part of the region, it’s relatively safe because the cars are moving so slowly,” said Rep. Fred Jarrett, a Republican from the Seattle suburb of Mercer Island. “Even if you’re distracted, you only move a few inches.”