Texting While Driving Banned in Washington

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