Texting While Driving Banned in Washington

Wed May 16, 2007 5:43AM EDT

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While I enjoy having lots of technology in the car, I just don't agree with drivers using it while driving. Can't a text message or phone call wait until you safely arrive at your next destination? Apparently, Gov.Christine Gregoire agrees, and has signed a law that goes into effect next year, which makes driving while texting or talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device illegal. Other states are considering a similar bans, but Washington will be the first state to sign off on the driving while texting law.

The Seattle Pi says, "under the new laws, drivers who read and compose text messages or talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device could face a $101 ticket. The text-messaging ban takes effect Jan. 1; the cell-phone law will be enforced starting in July 2008."  Unfortunately, the DWT fine would have to be a secondary offense, which means the driver will have to be pulled over for other driving violations.

This law was proposed after a number of children were hit by distracted drivers. Just last week, you might have heard about a school bus driver who lost control of a bus full of children because he was too busy texting. Thirty children were hurt, and one little girl's hand was severed in the accident.

What do you think? Should texting while driving be banned everywhere? What about driving while talking on a cell phone?

Related:
Drivers Ignoring Cell Phone Bans
States Consider Another Ban: Driving While Texting


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  • 1 Posted by ben5591 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    Agreed,....Not a good activity to do while driving. Last time I checked, it takes two hands to drive. Also, tired of getting cut off by other drivers talking on their cell phones completely oblivious that I had to swerve to avoid their lack of attention. Now thats just talking on the phone, using one hand to hold the phone while driving. Texting,...two hands,.....uhh....who's holding the steering wheel? Yes I know its possible, but please, if you see me driving on the road (You'll recognize me as the strapping young lad) please stay out of my way. I just got my insurance renewed, and I am not swerving out of the way. :) or should I put :|

  • 2 Posted by m_ahearn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got behind someone yesterday on the way home who was apparently texting while she was driving (her head was bent down more than not): driving in the bike lane, driving in the shoulder, crossing the center line. And not just for a second or two, she drove several hundred feet in the bike lane. I can only hope my state (Oregon) will enact similar legislation.

  • 3 Posted by pei_dage on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    Texting...? What will some people think of next. I actually saw someone eating while driving, holding the plate in one hand and and fork in the other... hmmmm. I must agree with the previous commentors that the failure to pay attention while driving has become a major problem every time we get into our cars. Here in Northern Cal it is the unusual driver who is not talking on the phone or reading while driving. Let's all buy our friends with cell phones hands-free devices to use when driving. It's not the final answer, but it may help.

  • 4 Posted by karagrl213 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    its easy to text while driving if you know where the letters are

  • 5 Posted by alpyne2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have successfully shaved (electric razor), tied a necktie, talked on the phone, demonstrated affection, and eaten a lot of fast food while driving. When doing so, I'm aware that I'm distracted, and I'm extra vigilant about my surroundings and I keep extra distance from other vehicles. Despite this, I've had some close calls, particularly in bad weather. I would never try to text without reading what is about to be sent and I would never try to read while driving - I can do many other activities by touch, but I can't read without taking my focus off of the road & mirrors. I don't know if a separate law is needed for each distracted violation, but I do believe judges should be allowed to punish people more severely for an accident caused by texting than one caused by a bee. The media needs to educate people to drive politely and with attention, rather than lobbying for more meaningless laws.

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