Washington State Bans Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving, Increases Enforcement Measures
State Adds Teeth to Existing Law Requiring Hands-Free Cell Phones
The new enforcement measure, which goes into effect June 10, includes all uses of talking on a cell phone up to your ear while operating a motor vehicle, with the exception of emergency calls. Using the phone without it being in your hands is the only legal way to use a cell phone while driving.
Text messaging while driving also continues to be banned.
The Washington State Patrol is warning drivers not to stop their cars on the side of the road to chat on the phone. That also is illegal.
Using a cell phone while driving means a ticket of $124 if stopped.
The law started in July 2008, but using a handheld cell phone while driving was limited to a secondary offense. That meant police could only ticket you for cell phone use if they stopped you for another driving infraction. The law now allows officers to pull you over immediately upon being spotted.
The law also applies to people using a GPS device in their hands while driving, but not if it is affixed to the car's windshield or dashboard as long they do not need to take their eyes off the road.
Unlike other states with similar laws, Washington was the only one to classify the violation as a secondary offense when the law went into effect in 2008, according to a PEMCO Insurance press release.
Teens will be the most restricted by the new measures. Drivers with a learner's permit -- mostly between the ages of 16 and 18 -- are banned from using a cell phone at all, whether it is hands-free or not.
Police officers and emergency personnel will not be required to follow the cell phone ban, but the WSP already put a ban in place for its troopers.
The enforcement measure comes after incidents such as the serious injuries sustained by a stranded motorist who was hit by a driver distracted by text messaging on his cell phone.
The measure passed 33-15 in the Washington State Senate and a similar bill passed in the state House of Representatives 60-37.
Published by Rich Ronson
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