Washington is one step closer to allowing its law enforcement to stop drivers simply for violating the state's hands free cell phone law.
Currently drivers must commit another traffic violation to be stopped and cited for using their phone without a hands free device. But in a 33-15 vote Friday, the state's senate passed a bill that not only makes the violation a primary offense, but also allows drivers to be stopped for reading, writing, or sending text messages.
"It's like watching a drunk driver in the middle of the day. You watch them and you say OK it's 3 in the afternoon what is this person doing and you get up next to them and you see they're 25 and they're texting with both hands or even one hand, but their eyes aren't on the road," said driver Scott Hilliard.
As currently drafted, the bill does not allow the citation to become part of a driver's record. The measure also exempts talking or texting to report a crime or emergency. Dialing a number would not be considered texting and as a result, allowed. Republican Senator Don Benton of Clark County voted to support the bill.
"You're propelling a huge vehicle at 40, 50, 60 miles an hour down the highway and you need both hands on the wheel. It's dangerous and especially if you're going to take your eyes of the road to text it's crazy," said Benton.
The measure now moves to the state's house for consideration.
