Just to be clear: Beginning Tuesday it is against the law to talk on a hand-held cell phone while driving in Washington state.
Against the law. Not “only if” you are stopped for another offense and subsequently ticketed for illegal cell phone use. Against the law all of the time.
Unfortunately, it won’t be enforced all of the time — at least for now. Nor should we expect it to be observed all of the time, in part, because even blatantly breaking the law won’t necessarily result in punishment.
Drivers can be cited for using hand-held devices only if they have already been stopped by police for another reason. Still, that could result in a $124 ticket, at the officer’s discretion. (A related reminder: It is already illegal to text-message while driving in this state.)
Chatty drivers still have an option. Hands-free cell phones are allowed under the new state law that will take effect Tuesday. That’ll mean a nice little boost in business for the folks who sell those devices. Good for them. But that wasn’t the point of the law.
The law is intended to help ensure that a driver’s attention is where it should be: on the road ahead and the traffic all around. Five other states and the District of Columbia have already adopted bans on cell phone use while driving, as have many countries around the world. A few American cities have enacted cell phone bans in the absence of state action.
The rationale is convincing. Behavioral studies are unequivocal about the distracting nature of mobile phone conversations. A driver who is talking isn’t fully driving. That includes people using hands-free devices, some studies show, but the new law is a start.
It’s likely that some unpleasant exchanges will occur as the law’s staunchest advocates and its worst flouters encounter each other on the road. Let’s give the new law some time to sink in and take hold, and cut people a little slack in the meantime.
Most Washington residents recall that the seat-belt enforcement law first emerged as a secondary offense. Now “click it or ticket” is the law.
We hope that day is coming soon for the new cell phone usage law as well. Until then, we’ll all be safer if drivers keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the highway, even if their brain is semi-engaged elsewhere.
• Editorials reflect the consensus opinion of the editorial board and are written by its members: Publisher L. Stedem Wood, Editor Don Nelson and City Editor Dick Clever.
New cell phone law will need a break-in period
Discuss
(4 comments) |
Email | 
Print
Editorial Board | Skagit Valley HeraldJune 28, 2008 - 03:04 PM
This article has been viewed 168 times
Discuss This Story
(4 comments)
Previous Story• Island Hospital's remake nearly complete |
Next Story• Pam Gromus testifies man in sweatshirt attacked her |
More Local News
Top Jobs
FLORAL ASSISTANT DELIVERY DRIVER needed, P/T. Salary DOE. Apply in person,1420 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.…
MacGregor Publishing/ Yellowbook is seeking an APPOINTMENT SETTER for telephone directory advertising…
Edge Analytical environmental testing laboratory needs someone for sample receiving/ glassware cleaning.…
Medical Receptionist for busy clinic. Computer, EMR & retail exp. pref'd. Fax cover letter/resume to…
Cascades Job Corps Center has the following openings: *Recreation Advisor *Sub Teacher *Residential Advisor…
Small Mount Vernon law firm seeking Legal Asst./ Paralegal position with knowledge of criminal or family…
DRIVERS APP Propane is expanding again and has openings for propane bob tail drivers. Earn up to $17.50/hr.…
Holistic dental practice in need of a Front Office candidate. Candidate must have 1 + years experience…
P/T Security Responsible for the security of Port equip. & facilities, for assistance with outside ops…
LPN P/T NOC shift, wknds & fill-in, for MV dementia care residence. Very competitive wages, benefits…
DRIVER Class A, 3+ yrs. exp. professionalism, integrity, good work ethic. Small, locally based company.…
Fast Paced Office needs hardworking, friendly, computer savvy, light bookkeeping, legal work, dependable,…
Bookkeeper Full charge, exp. with G/L, payroll, inventory, manufacturing. Email resume to: info@ padgettcpa.com…
Quality hard working team players for: LEAD CONCRETE SUPERVISOR Must have concrete exp., read plans,…
HEAD BAKER needed- 7 hrs/day, Central Kitchen. Burlington-Edison School Dist. For application call: 360-757-3311…
Housekeeping Opportunity Life Care Center of Skagit Valley long-term health care Full-time position available.…
ADVERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGER The Skagit Valley Herald has an immediate opening for a full-time Advertising…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Local Senior Living Facility is looking for a motivated person to fill an Accounts Receivable /Billing…
Skagit Island Orthopedic & Surgery Center A Division of Proliance Surgeons Medical Receptionist Full-time…
F/T Program Director needed for small residential program for Develop. Disabled adults in Mount Vernon.…
FULL TIME COOK four day on, four days off, pay depending on experience, EEO emp- loyer. Contact Sonda…
FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANT Seeking individual who cares about helping people, requires good communication…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Opportunity awaits 2 motivated enthusiastic individuals. Opportunity to sell 6 new vehicle lines plus…
Physical Therapist and Physical Therapy Assistants for private practice. We offer excellent wages and…
P/T Certified Medical Assistant to work 1 - 2 days per week in Bellingham and on-call for Mount Vernon…
Kennel Assistant/ Ranch Hand: Feeding, cleaning, entertaining dogs, cats, horses & customers. 422-7644…
Shower Aide Day shift, full and part-time available. Life Care Center of Skagit Valley 1462 West SR 20,…
MacGregor Publishing/ Yellowbook is seeking an APPOINTMENT SETTER for telephone directory advertising…
Edge Analytical environmental testing laboratory needs someone for sample receiving/ glassware cleaning.…
Medical Receptionist for busy clinic. Computer, EMR & retail exp. pref'd. Fax cover letter/resume to…
Cascades Job Corps Center has the following openings: *Recreation Advisor *Sub Teacher *Residential Advisor…
Small Mount Vernon law firm seeking Legal Asst./ Paralegal position with knowledge of criminal or family…
DRIVERS APP Propane is expanding again and has openings for propane bob tail drivers. Earn up to $17.50/hr.…
Holistic dental practice in need of a Front Office candidate. Candidate must have 1 + years experience…
P/T Security Responsible for the security of Port equip. & facilities, for assistance with outside ops…
LPN P/T NOC shift, wknds & fill-in, for MV dementia care residence. Very competitive wages, benefits…
DRIVER Class A, 3+ yrs. exp. professionalism, integrity, good work ethic. Small, locally based company.…
Fast Paced Office needs hardworking, friendly, computer savvy, light bookkeeping, legal work, dependable,…
Bookkeeper Full charge, exp. with G/L, payroll, inventory, manufacturing. Email resume to: info@ padgettcpa.com…
Quality hard working team players for: LEAD CONCRETE SUPERVISOR Must have concrete exp., read plans,…
HEAD BAKER needed- 7 hrs/day, Central Kitchen. Burlington-Edison School Dist. For application call: 360-757-3311…
Housekeeping Opportunity Life Care Center of Skagit Valley long-term health care Full-time position available.…
ADVERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGER The Skagit Valley Herald has an immediate opening for a full-time Advertising…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Local Senior Living Facility is looking for a motivated person to fill an Accounts Receivable /Billing…
Skagit Island Orthopedic & Surgery Center A Division of Proliance Surgeons Medical Receptionist Full-time…
F/T Program Director needed for small residential program for Develop. Disabled adults in Mount Vernon.…
FULL TIME COOK four day on, four days off, pay depending on experience, EEO emp- loyer. Contact Sonda…
FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANT Seeking individual who cares about helping people, requires good communication…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Opportunity awaits 2 motivated enthusiastic individuals. Opportunity to sell 6 new vehicle lines plus…
Physical Therapist and Physical Therapy Assistants for private practice. We offer excellent wages and…
P/T Certified Medical Assistant to work 1 - 2 days per week in Bellingham and on-call for Mount Vernon…
Kennel Assistant/ Ranch Hand: Feeding, cleaning, entertaining dogs, cats, horses & customers. 422-7644…
Shower Aide Day shift, full and part-time available. Life Care Center of Skagit Valley 1462 West SR 20,…
