Talking on cell while driving law (Seattle, Shoreline: move to, car, office)

[everwinter]

Do cops actually enforce this? I see many many drivers talking on hand held phones swerving & holding up traffic.

[Redline]

It's a secondary offense so they can't pull you over for just having a cellphone up to your ear. You would need to be speeding or doing something else as well before they nail you for the cellphone offense.

[Botev1912]

is that true?

[Redline]

One of my assistants has a husband who is in law enforcement and I think that is who I heard it from.

[Redline]

googled:

Washington State cell phone ban

Washington State cell phone ban
Tuesday, 29 July 2008 00:00
Washington has joined four other states and the District of Columbia in banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving.

Since July 1, it has been illegal for drivers in Washington State to talk on a cell phone unless they are using a hands-free device. Drivers are exempt in some situations, including emergencies.

A law banning text-massaging while driving took effect Jan. 1.

Using a handheld phone while driving in Washington State is a secondary offense. That means police must pull drivers over for something else first — such as speeding or an illegal lane change.

Violators could be fined $124.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the cell phone and text messaging measures into law in May 2007.

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California and the District of Columbia also restrict motorists to hands-free devices. In these jurisdictions, the laws are all primary enforcement — an officer may ticket a driver for using a handheld cell phone while driving without any other traffic offense taking place.

No U.S. state completely bans all cell phone use, although some states restrict cell phone use by novice drivers.

[nikdahl]

It is very much enforced, but it is still just a secondary offense. Also, if you have the speaker phone on, and are holding the phone a foot away from your face, that is not illegal. Weirdness.

[la_fuerza]

I was driving and talking on my phone going though Shoreline. I was stopped at a red light and happened to look over and saw a cop was in the car next to me. He looked over at me. Then the light turned green and he drove away. I guess it's pretty lax being a secondary offense and all.

BTW I've also seen cops driving around talking on cell phones!

[Yvetta]

Originally Posted by la_fuerza

I was driving and talking on my phone going though Shoreline. I was stopped at a red light and happened to look over and saw a cop was in the car next to me. He looked over at me. Then the light turned green and he drove away. I guess it's pretty lax being a secondary offense and all.

BTW I've also seen cops driving around talking on cell phones!

Good thing you're in Seattle. CA has strict laws about driving hands free.
Just another reason I need to move to Seattle.

[jenlion]

Originally Posted by la_fuerza

BTW I've also seen cops driving around talking on cell phones!

I saw one in Redmond doing that today!

[secret_squirrel]

If you get pulled over, just say you were calling 1-800-litter1 to report a litterer. Calls made to that line are exempt from the state cell phone ban*. Really:

"Many people have asked us, "How will this impact the litter hotline? Will people stop calling the hotline for fear of getting a ticket?" The quick answer is the law lets people use cell phones to report littering...

Please don't let the new law deter you from reporting litterers... "
Site: Washington State Department of Ecology: Litter Campaign: Hotline

*Disclaimer: please do not lie to law enforcement. Example is for ironic illustration only.