Old habits die hard – but a $124 fine is sure to encourage Washington motorists to stop texting and talking on the cell phones while driving.
Though talking or texting on the road has been against the law in many countries for a number of years now, Washington is only now about to enforce its newly-revised law restricting the use of wireless devices by drivers.
The law comes into effect on Thursday, and enforcement agencies have made it clear there will be no grace period, and no excuses.
The revised law makes texting or improper cell phone use primary offenses, meaning that drivers can be pulled over for those violations alone. It also prohibits the use of electronic devices by younger drivers with an Intermediate Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit, with or without a hands-free device.
How will WSP enforce the changes?
“If you’re holding the phone to your ear, you’re likely to be stopped,” said Captain Chris Gundermann of the state patrol’s field operations bureau. “We will be flexible with virtually any type of headset or speakerphone device, but holding the phone itself to your ear will get our attention.”
Since 2008 the law has prohibited drivers from texting while driving, and required those talking on cell phones to use hands free devices. However, the earlier version of the law was “secondary” meaning that officers had to see a different violation in order to make the traffic stop.
Gundermann noted that those with hearing aids are exempt, as are those reporting an emergency to 9-1-1. Troopers will inquire about exemptions once the person has been pulled over.”
“No ticket is automatic. If the person has a hearing aid or is calling 9-1-1, we’ll get them quickly on their way,” he said.
Texting can be harder for troopers to spot, because the unit is normally held lower than when talking on a cell phone. Gundermann says studies show that those reading or sending a text message take their eyes off the road for up to five seconds.
“We’ll be looking for people who clearly aren’t watching the road. We’ve had a couple years to practice spotting this behavior and can usually tell when someone is texting. Sooner or later the phone comes up high enough that we can see it and make the stop.”
At the Department of Licensing, Director Liz Luce is urging parents to help with enforcement of the complete ban on electronic devices for those with intermediate licenses.
“Responsibility starts at home, so I ask parents to have a conversation with their teen drivers, because the consequences of distracted driving can be deadly,” Luce said.
Statistics have long shown that younger drivers make up a disproportionate number of those injured or killed on the highway.
“A cell phone in the car is one of the most dangerous things a teen driver can have,” Luce said. “Come June 10, teen drivers with intermediate licenses aren’t permitted to use their cell phones at all, with or without a hands-free device, unless they’re reporting an emergency.”
Multiple traffic violations on an intermediate driver license can lead to suspension and even an extension of the intermediate license restrictions until the driver turns 21.
Safety experts recommend people not talk on the phone at all while driving, pointing out that the conversation itself is a distraction.
“Ideally, we would like to see all drivers save their phone conversations for later and concentrate on the road,” said Lowell Porter, executive director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. “Study after study has demonstrated that talking on the phone while driving seriously impairs your awareness and ability to react.”
