[Previous entry: "John Evans On Medevac Bill Sponsored By Spanel & Quall"] [Next entry: "BREAKING NEWS Quick Reponses By Island Air Staff And Pilot Helps Rescue Survivor Of Plane Crash"]

03/29/2005: "A Ban On Hand Held Cell phones While Driving Moves Forward"

A bill to outlaw hand held cell phones is moving forward in the legislator. Current law prohibits actions that may contribute to negligent driving, and the Washington State Patrol may cite a driver for second-degree negligent driving if they observe dangerous driving -no matter the reason for it. The passage of a law specifically addressing cell phone usage while driving, will make it clearer to both the public -and the police- what constitutes a violation. The current Senate Bill passed in the Senate by 28 to 18, and has now moved on to the House Transportation Committee.

The bill would make :a person operating a moving motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to his or her ear guilty of a traffic infraction. However, the bill would not apply to a person operating: (1) An authorized emergency vehicle; (2) A moving motor vehicle using a wireless communications device in hands-free mode; (3) A moving motor vehicle using a hand-held wireless communications device to: (a) Report illegal activity; (b) summon medical or other emergency help; (c) prevent injury to a person or property.

The State Patrol testified "that studies have shown the use of cellular phones while driving increase the likelihood of accidents and impair the driver".