Washington State Bans Texting While Driving

The Washington State Patrol says that it plans to vigorously enforce the US state's new law against sending text messages while driving. The new law came into effect yesterday.

"Texting while driving was always a bad idea," said WSP Chief John R. Batiste. "Things happen too fast on the highway to take your eyes off the road long enough to read or type a message."

Because texting while driving is a secondary violation, troopers cannot stop drivers if they see it occurring. But it could mean drivers end up with two tickets instead of just one.

"When we see other driving errors, such as weaving or unsafe lane changes, we will not hesitate to write a second citation under the texting law if that contributed to the first violation," Batiste said.

"There is no driver on the road skilled enough to drive and text at the same time," Batiste noted. "Especially not a teenager with only a year or two of driving experience."

The law requiring the use of hands free devices while talking on a mobile phone goes into effect on July 1, and the state patrol says that it will be enforced with similar vigor.

Posted to the site on 2nd January 2008