Time to Put Down Your Cell Phone, It’s The Law!
As of Thursday June 10th, Washington State Patrol Officers will enforce a zero tolerance policy towards driving while holding your cell phone. Hands-free devices are okay, but if you're caught holding a phone up your ear, you'll be busted. At the Law Offices of Kirk Bernard, we're all for anything that will help reduce accidents caused by distracted drivers.
Washington State passed legislation two years ago which made the act a secondary violation, meaning that law officers had to have a primary offense to pull them over. Speeding, running a red light, or illegal lane changes were all things that would give them a reason to stop you. They could then issue an additional fee if they found you were talking on your cell phone.
Now, State Troopers don't need any reason to pull you over other than seeing you on your phone, and you'll be issued a $124 ticket when that happens. So far, law enforcement has issued 3,000 tickets and 5,900 warnings. They don't feel any remorse about enforcing this new law since Washington drivers have had 2 years to acclimate. State Patrol Trooper Krista Hedstrom said, "Talking on a cell phone is a huge driver distraction. It's my belief that the law is going to make it a lot safer." As a Personal Injury Attorney Seattle, I also feel that this law is a step in the right direction towards keeping drivers safer.
Even state troopers aren't exempt from this law. They aim to serve as an example to citizens and even rewrote their regulation manual to ban officers from texting while driving. They must now use hands-free cell phones as well. Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste says, "Using a hands-free device is a good idea for everyone, including troopers. Every driver has an obligation to be their best behind the wheel."
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