New hands-free cell phone law now being enforced

Washington State drivers have been gearing up for this change for some time now. The ban on driving while holding a cell phone to your ear was passed into law a little over one year ago along with a ban on texting while driving.

The texting ban began on January 1st this year, but authorities could not enforce the hands-free-driving law until the 1st of July. Officers have been handing out warnings to drivers all over Washington state who continue to drive while talking on their cell phones, but the warnings are over!

As of the first of this month you may be fined for breaking this new law.

Here’s what you should know:

The law makes it illegal to drive while holding a cell phone to your ear.

You can still talk on the phone if you use a bluetooth device like the ones found in some newer cars or the ones you wear on your ear.

There are a few exceptions to the new law.

The prohibition against operating a moving vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to one’s ear does not apply to:

1. A person operating an authorized emergency vehicle, or a tow truck driver responding to a disabled vehicle;
2. A person using a wireless communications device in hands-free mode;
3. A person using the device to report illegal activity, summon emergency help, or prevent injury to a person or property;
4. A person using a hearing aid;
5. The operation of an amateur radio station by a person who holds a valid amateur radio operator license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

While we should see fewer drivers on their phones with this new law, police may only ticket you for it as a secondary offense. This means they can not pull you over because they see you talking on the phone. They must catch you violating some other law in order to pull you over.

Take care on the road and stay off the phone!