Washington Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on January 30, 2007

Click here to view bill details.

Tell me that yakking on a cellphone is more dangerous than shaving while driving down I-5, changing your clothes, or various other things known to occur on the road! And yet, we don't have a law specifically stating that you can't shave while driving, or change your clothes while driving. There's a darned good infraction or offense covering all these bases, including yakking on a cell phone, and it is called "Negligent Driving".

According to research, the differences between those things you mention and driving with a phone growing out of your ear has to do with the conscious thought involved with the act. Eating, shaving, etc can almost be done reflexively and with little diversion from the act of actually driving (yes the focus behind the wheel is actually *driving*…surprise - surprise !!!) Talking on a phone, text messaging, reading your Blackberry, looking up numbers, dialing those numbers etc, etc has been show to take cognitive thought away from the act of driving more so than other activities, While any activity can be inherently dangerous while driving, cell phones have been proven (yes proven) to distract the driver in a greater way that many other activities; akin to driving intoxicated according to the latest studies. Don’t take my word…do your own research! The facts are available anywhere you want to look for them. While you are right in saying that negligent driving should cover this, unfortunately, most L.E.O are too busy sitting behind speed radar and laser traps to do *real* highway policing and so, most really dangerous acts are only caught after the fact; too late to be preventative. I will agree however that negligent driving is the catch law under which driving with a cell phone glued to your ear should be covered. Driving with a cell phone in your ear should be added to the list of hazardous activities that are illegal. The sooner…The Better!

Yep, it's a feel good law that will have no impact on driving but will cost consumers as they buy cell phone accessories.

If this bill prevents me from being cut off, delayed, run off the road, or tailgated by only one cell phone yacker; it will be a success. To all you cell phone addicts: HANG UP AND DRIVE !!!

How about brushing your teeth? I actually seen a man doing this once while driving down the street!!

My 21yr old nephew was struck and killed by a driver who was on a cell phone while driving. Poke at all the fun you can about how it does not affect a person driving, I will stand on the side that says it does, for his sake and the sake of others.

My Son, 21 Yr. old was struck by someone who was on a cell phone talking to a friend in another car. It was around midnite, the person was driving in the fast lane,and the other person at the oter end of the cell Phone said someone was on the road, The question is, why did the driver not take control and let go of the phone but say I can not stop, when there was no one else on the road, (other 3 lanes) according to the report, and just move over a foot?? A news caster got this info that was on the scene, but of cours the cell phone part was left off the news. Most people can not do 2 things at once. When you are driving you are obligated to be in control of your vehicle, this is WA law. How can you be if you are driving and your mind somewhere else. You should have enough sense to pull over if you need to talk to someone and not be a danger to someone else, or at least have the sense to put the phone down and take contral of a situation. This bill must be passed since there are people out there that do not have common sense

Two years ago I was on Gilman Blvd in Issaquah. As I waited at the red light on my scooter I watch a driver in a large SUV prepare to take a left turn while balancing a cell phone between her shoulder and ear AND holding an ice cream cone in the other hand. This driver seemed to have no comprehension that anyone else was around her, or that she was too occupied with other things (phone and ice cream) to focus on her driving. Thank goodness nothing bad came of this, but clearly *something* needs to be done to instill common sense in people. This new law won't stop all the self-indulgent idiots out there from all inappropriate actions while behind the wheel, but it will at least get them thinking more about their driving. I remember learning in driver's ed some 20 years ago that driving is a privilege and not a right. Perhaps this law, though small it is, will help people to remember this basic fact?

Every time I see a cop driving in a car they are holding a cell phone and talking, usually while speeding. Why are they specifically exempted in the bill?

Maybe your attention is affected by cell phone use. Mine isn't. Yes, really. It's a shame that nannystatists feel they should take away my liberty because of the lack of driving abilities of others.

You sound like one of those intrepid sheeple that talks on the cell phone, eats a Big Mac, reads the newspaper, and combs their hair in the rear view mirror while navigating down the freeway - oh, and maybe, as a slight distraction, you might use your turn signal or...godforbid...look over your shoulder when changing lanes. Get a life, hang up and drive. The life you save might probably be your own but will most likely be someone elses. Great law, and long overdue!

A drunk will never tell you they are drunk! Why don't you try something novel and keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road especially when driving. You people with cell phones growing out of your ears 24hrs a day are a public menace and a danger to other drivers and pedestrians. I am very happy with this bill. It is time for you hazardous drivers to start paying for your crimes. Yes CRIMES! Just ask those kids that were seriously hurt; hit by drivers using cell phones who thought the same way you do... "You're different"...Yeah...RIGHT!