Washington State gets tougher on distracted drivers

BELLINGHAM (NEWS 1130) – A new and much tougher distracted driving law starts south of the border today.

The Washington State law strengthens existing distracted driving rules, which only prevented texting and holding a phone to the ear. The new law forbids handheld uses, including composing or reading any kind of message, social media post, photograph or data, even if the driver is at a stop sign or red light.

The fine? $136 US.

“If it takes more than one touch on your cellphone, then it’s against the law. So you can’t hold your phone in your hand, even when you’re stopped in traffic,” says Washington State Patrol Trooper Heather Axtman.

“That even includes tablets, laptops, playing games on your phone, looking at Facebook, Snapchatting, all that good stuff.”

Using a Bluetooth headset is okay, as long as you’re not playing with your phone, and so is using a GPS to navigate, but only as long as you start navigation before you leave.

Since this is so new, Trooper Axtman says there’s going to be a six-month “education period”, but officers have complete discretion.

“If a trooper pulls you over and deems it is necessary to give a ticket, it does not mean you have a free ride for six months.”

The Seattle Times reports police near Seattle aren’t as interested in the “education” idea, so it’ll vary based on which part of the state you’re in.

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