OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Washington Senate has approved a measure that makes it easier for police to pull over drivers who use a cell phone without a handsfree device.

On a 33-15 vote Friday, the Senate passed a bill that makes it a primary offense to be caught holding a cell phone to your ear while driving. That strengthens the state's current law, which only slaps drivers with an extra fine if they are caught holding a cell phone when pulled over for another infraction, such as speeding.

The bill passed Friday also outlaws any cell phone use by a driver with a learner's permit or an intermediate license, which is given to drivers under 18 years old.

The bill was introduced after statistics showed that the distraction of talking on a cell phone while driving causes accidents.

Between 2006 and 2008, the Washington State patrol linked 3,000 accidents to talking on a cell phone.

The Senate measure banning cell phones while driving now heads to the House, where a similar bill was sponsored by Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle.

"Driving with a cell phone is incredibly dangerous and the fact is that people overwhelmingly get more distracted using a cell phone than anything else," he said

<-------Law breaker.

I make the 30 mile trip from home to town (Mount Vernon) several times a week, and it is a rare day when I don't see several cops (Skagit County Sheriff and WSP) traveling the other direction on Hwy. 20, and almost always they are clearly chatting ON THE CELL PHONE.

Being 100% deaf in my rt ear, I can only hear with the left. Plug a "hands free" device in that ear and I can no longer hear emergency sirens, honking horns (or anything else). So, I use my phone without the headset (when and if I use it). If a cop stops me, I'll take my chances in court as I consider that my approach to be the safest given my situation.

So...are LEO exempt from this new law?

ISO

What laws are they not exempt from?

BTW----I knew this chickenchit stuff was going to happen. They start all this little incremental nanny BS as a secondary offense.....then the tampon brigade aka as liberal poosies push their pathetic, socialist, do nothing laws and by a stroke of genius decide to make it a primary offense.

Slippery slope liberal mutherphuckers.

"I can only hear with the left"

So the left is the good side.

As a motorcycle rider that commuted daily on 520 to bellevue I applaud the legislation. Most All the close calls I've had in the last 5 years have all been while a driver had phone in the ear...

Not to pick on the ladies but there was a chick on 520 that was not only talking on the phone but was also putting on mascara in the rearview... the only time she put a hand on the wheel was when she crossed into the other lane... The close call in that case was me almost dumping my bike from laughing so hard.

Two words - Magic Jack.

No muss... no fuss... hands free without a headset and it's so simple that even the most cognitively challenged, right-wing retard could use one.

Since it works through your car stereo... the only problem is that they will have to turn Glenn Beck off long enough to take the call.

ruthless, I love it..

If you don't already have a phone with a good speakerphone, time to get one.

done.

This law blows chunks of politcal do-goodiness all over the floor. it won't deter many from old habits, and will eventually serve only as a chest thumper next election cycle.

...But JESSE JONES (extra super emphasis added)....says they are a POS.

Perhaps they only work for democrats and retards.....you know when garble, drooling and incoherhent speech is preferable to actually listening and hearing what is being said.

Knew it was coming. Same with the seatbelt law if you recall. Started off as a secondary offence.

HA!

Everyone knows Priuses are incapable of reaching 75!

Ive never seen one that wasn't sitting in the left lane going 15 under!

This law will go screaming through our Dem control legislature and be signed by our Dem Gov. I think it is just too bad that cell phones work from a moving vehicle at all. Twice this past month (Jan) I had cars come across the center line...once with my wife in the car and it scared the Hell out of her. Hands free devices won't completely eliminate crashes caused by cell phone conversations, either. Don't kid yourself.

Good Bill, make it law.

Mf

I was told by WSP that when moving equipment down the road I need to be in contact with my pilot car so I use Direct connect, now I find out that this too will be illegal ,so who is right wsp or some senator
looks to me no matter what I will end up getting a ticket. Personally I think it is time our elected officials start facing the real problems this state has and stop coming up with stupid laws

I agree. It shouldn't be necessary, but we're a society comprised of "me first" mentalities that doesn't give a rat's ass about causing accidents that kill and injure "other" people. This law makes far more sense than the seat belt law, which protects people who often don't deserve it.

Actually, I'd be in favor of mandatory vehicle designs that puts the driver in the very front with zero protection in front of them, assuring that the slightest screw up on their part assures that they will be maimed or killed. That could cause a few more drivers to actually pay attention to their driving.

Sg

Thats a briliant idea but they already have a prototype called the bicycle.

I am all for this law and needs to be enforced. I dont know sh!t or care about the political implications of it. Its about safety and safety should not be political. Distratced drivers are a seriuos epidemic in this country with the technology that consumers desire.

Oh and text messaging is the absolute worst and this law will not capture that.

Al Gore's son got one up to 100+! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19601277/

That was only because the brakes failed....nothing else

Seatbelts cell phones whats next?!? Fukin retards in office love these easy money grabs!!