New Distracted Driving Law

[AR15L]

It's illegal in Kommiefornia, oh kayyyy.

You don't smoke with kids in the car. That's good.

#1 Cal can GFT. I absolutely hate what that state has become.
#2 Adults that smoke with kids in the car are _________ (fill in the blank) Those that don't do it, good for you. Not fair to the kids.
#3 This whole thing is nothing but a slippery slope.

Oh, today I drank coffee while driving.

[WaJim]

Soooooooo,

If Cyclists have to/are supposed to obey all traffic laws does this new law apply to them....?

[AR15L]

Soooooooo,

If Cyclists have to/are supposed to obey all traffic laws does this new law apply to them....?

YES!
Carlson - Kirby & Larson have read the RCW's on the air.

[Guntrader]

Saw a bicyclist on Meridian in N Seattle run a stop sign at a high rate of speed and ran into an opening car door.
Flied in the air and probably broke his leg.
Sometimes the good guys win.

New law.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.667
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.668

[leadcounsel]

So, to be clear, some here think that distracted driving, holding your phone to your ear, or texting while driving is a good thing???

No. I think what people here (including myself) are opposed to is making more laws when there are already laws covering this stuff. Plus the aspect of "precrime".

Just because I glance down at my phone when I get a text to see if it's something important that i should pull over for immediately doesn't mean I am automatically going to wind up crashing into someone.

If I cause an accident because I'm texting, I get the book thrown at me. And rightfully so.

Likewise how is diddling the 8" touchscreen on my car any less distracting? With my Apple CarPlay, I can search through my Amazon Music list by swiping incessantly to find the song I want. Or I can much more quickly and safely find the music I want by grabbing my phone and tapping the letter and swiping once or twice to find the playlist.

Just a few minutes ago, my kids were screaming at me in the car at a stop light. While I was reaching for the toy my daughter dropped, the light turned green and cars started going. Is that illegal too? Doesn't seem any less distracting than if I was replying to a text.

Stupid laws are stupid...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah. "Laws are stupid."
You clearly don't seem to understand the law... maybe that's a cause for you to be upset???

I interpret this as you can use fixed screens, touch screens, mounted phones, GPS, radios, etc. that are HANDS FREE and just require a tap or similar. That means, if you're holding it to text or drive or talk, you're breaking the law. You also shouldn't be reading and responding to texts as that takes your eyes off the road for several seconds, which is the purpose of the law to eliminate or reduce that.

And having the book thrown at someone doesn't bring back little Suzy or the family of 4 killed by a texting moron.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.667

(1)(a) Except as provided in subsections (2)(a) and (3)(a) of this section, a person operating a moving motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to his or her ear is guilty of a traffic infraction.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b) and (3)(b) of this section, a person driving a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in RCW 46.25.010, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays, while using a handheld mobile telephone is guilty of a traffic infraction. For purposes of this subsection, "driving" does not include operating a commercial motor vehicle with or without the motor running when the driver has moved the vehicle to the side of, or off, a highway and has stopped in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary.
(2)(a) Subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to a person operating:
(i) An authorized emergency vehicle, or a tow truck responding to a disabled vehicle;
(ii) A moving motor vehicle using a wireless communications device in hands-free mode;
(iii) A moving motor vehicle using a handheld wireless communications device to:
(A) Report illegal activity;
(B) Summon medical or other emergency help;
(C) Prevent injury to a person or property; or
(D) Relay information that is time sensitive between a transit or for-hire operator and that operator's dispatcher, in which the device is permanently affixed to the vehicle; or
(iv) A moving motor vehicle while using a hearing aid.
(b) Subsection (1)(b) of this section does not apply to a person operating a commercial motor vehicle:
(i) When necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services; or
(ii) Using a mobile telephone in hands-free mode.
(3)(a) Subsection (1)(a) of this section does not restrict the operation of an amateur radio station by a person who holds a valid amateur radio operator license issued by the federal communications commission.
(b) Subsection (1)(b) of this section does not restrict the operation of two-way or citizens band radio services.
(4) For purposes of this section, "hands-free mode" means the use of a wireless communications device with a speaker phone, headset, or earpiece.
(5) The state preempts the field of regulating the use of wireless communications devices in motor vehicles, and this section supersedes any local laws, ordinances, orders, rules, or regulations enacted by a political subdivision or municipality to regulate the use of wireless communications devices by the operator of a motor vehicle.
(6) Infractions that result from the use of a wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle under subsection (1)(a) of this section shall not become part of the driver's record under RCW 46.52.101 and 46.52.120. Additionally, a finding that a person has committed a traffic infraction under subsection (1)(a) of this section shall not be made available to insurance companies or employers.
[ 2013 c 224 § 15; 2010 c 223 § 3; 2007 c 417 § 2.]
NOTES:
Intent—2007 c 417: "The use of wireless communications devices by motorists has increased in recent years. While wireless communications devices have assisted with quick reporting of road emergencies, their use has also contributed to accidents and other mishaps on Washington state roadways. When motorists hold a wireless communications device in one hand and drive with the other, their chances of becoming involved in a traffic mishap increase. It is the legislature's intent to phase out the use of handheld wireless communications devices by motorists while operating a vehicle." [ 2007 c 417 § 1.]

[Ops]

at least if you drive drunk you wont get caught now. nice to see police resources going after someone touching their phone to often

[Guns4Liberty]

LC, why are you being a shill for the nanny-state Controllists? Does this law not strike you as yet another infringement of personal liberty - an expansion of governmental intrusion in our lives?

[WaJim]

at least if you drive drunk you wont get caught now. nice to see police resources going after someone touching their phone to often

Well if you're drunk usually you're late and the wife is blowing up your fone so....this law makes it easier to snag drunk drivers.


Married or ina relationship ones at least.......

[Ops]

but drunks ignore the wife so its win win

[codfather]

Well now they are going to have to make the vote for me signs on the side of the road illegal along with Christmas lights and pretty girls walking on the sidewalk as all of these take your eyes off the road.
My daughter was pulled over today for a tail light that was not working and the cop said that he could give her a ticket for smoking...she said she was not smoking she was vaping and he said it is a tobacco product....so does that mean you can't chew also......what a bunch of bullshit!!!!

[PMB]

My daughter was pulled over today for a tail light that was not working and the cop said that he could give her a ticket for smoking...she said she was not smoking she was vaping and he said it is a tobacco product....so does that mean you can't chew also......what a bunch of bullshit!!!!

Unbelievable. They've boiled the frog.

[codfather]

And now it does become part of your driving record

[leadcounsel]

And now it does become part of your driving record

Really? Cite please

[edogg]

So, to be clear, some here think that distracted driving, holding your phone to your ear, or texting while driving is a good thing???

No. I think what people here (including myself) are opposed to is making more laws when there are already laws covering this stuff. Plus the aspect of "precrime".

Just because I glance down at my phone when I get a text to see if it's something important that i should pull over for immediately doesn't mean I am automatically going to wind up crashing into someone.

If I cause an accident because I'm texting, I get the book thrown at me. And rightfully so.

Likewise how is diddling the 8" touchscreen on my car any less distracting? With my Apple CarPlay, I can search through my Amazon Music list by swiping incessantly to find the song I want. Or I can much more quickly and safely find the music I want by grabbing my phone and tapping the letter and swiping once or twice to find the playlist.

Just a few minutes ago, my kids were screaming at me in the car at a stop light. While I was reaching for the toy my daughter dropped, the light turned green and cars started going. Is that illegal too? Doesn't seem any less distracting than if I was replying to a text.

Stupid laws are stupid...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah. "Laws are stupid."
You clearly don't seem to understand the law... maybe that's a cause for you to be upset???

I interpret this as you can use fixed screens, touch screens, mounted phones, GPS, radios, etc. that are HANDS FREE and just require a tap or similar. That means, if you're holding it to text or drive or talk, you're breaking the law. You also shouldn't be reading and responding to texts as that takes your eyes off the road for several seconds, which is the purpose of the law to eliminate or reduce that.

And having the book thrown at someone doesn't bring back little Suzy or the family of 4 killed by a texting moron.

The other day, I wanted to use the Amazon music app to play some music. My car has Apple CarPlay which give an Apple interface on my touchscreen. The Amazon music app won't let me search so I have to spend 30 seconds swiping to scroll down to the letter T to find the music I wanted to listen to.

Or I could hold my phone up to the level of the touchscreen, tap T, and pick the album in 5 seconds at a stop light.

Also this:

https://youtu.be/eXWhbUUE4ko


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MadPick]

New law.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.667
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.668

Is that really the new law? It looks like the old law to me . . . but I'm not sure.

I tried hard to find the new law yesterday -- not just stories about it -- and was unsuccessful.