Cell phones and drivers don’t mix

For those campus drivers who either haven’t been paying attention, or have for one reason or another chosen to completely ignore the law (and believe me, the numbers are staggering each day on the shared UW Bothell/Cascadia Community College campus), a rude and costly awakening is on the horizon beginning July 1, 2008.

It’s part of a student’s daily life. Without it, some can’t function. Some feel completely lost; they have a need to be in constant contact with the outside world, their friends and their family. For some, it’s almost an extra appendage. It’s their constant companion, their must-have equipment. Just like the old American Express commercial starring Karl Malden, they never leave home without it — and that includes while driving.

Of course, it’s the cell phone. But you knew that. You may be talking on your cell phone as you read this. Hopefully, you’re not reading while driving though, and if you are, your local law enforcement agency has a little vehicle code section designed especially for you (“distracted driving”).

Little do (most) students know, or possibly even care — at least that’s what many say — Washington state made it illegal to “text and drive” back in January.

The fine for this specific violation is $101. Since the law went into effect, there have been only a handful of citations issued for this offense, mainly due to the difficulty of an officer observing a driver texting while driving. The citation is known as a “secondary offense” infraction.

A “secondary offense” means that a law enforcement officer must typically first observe a driver commit a “primary” or “main” offense, as either a moving violation — for example, speeding or failure to come to a complete stop — or a vehicle mechanical violation — for example, an expired license tab.

This already-on-the-books law is simply referred to as “Texting While Driving,” and does not become a part of the driver’s record or subject to vehicle insurance company notification.

Something else to catch your attention, cell phone lovers: Beginning July 1, 2008, at midnight, it is absolutely and unequivocally illegal to hold a handheld cell phone to your ear while driving a motor vehicle upon any public highway in the entire state of Washington. The University of Washington streets are public highways.

Once again, this ticket will not go on your driving record, but the violation will cost you dearly. The UWPD will be using the fine amount set forward by the Seattle Police Department. Though the exact amount has yet to be officially determined, it is estimated to be between $101 and $124.

Ouch.

Washington state is the fifth state to completely ban cell-phone-to-ear driving, yet it’s the first state to deem the violation a “secondary offense.”

Some law enforcement agencies will begin issuing citations immediately for the violation beginning July 1, while others will be allowing a “grace period” or warnings for a few weeks in order for drivers to “get used to” the new law. That is up to the individual agency, however.

UW Bothell administrators are reviewing the upcoming cell phone-to-ear state law ban and how safety officers will be handling the citation aspect and the amount of the fine.

Campus safety officers are allowed to issue “moving” citations. Citation amounts for driving with a cell phone glued to your ear can easily mount. Your wallet will receive a major sting if you drive through a sign-posted construction zone that reads “traffic fines double” or through a posted “school zone — traffic fines double” street; you might owe $570.

Do yourself a favor now and buy a hands-free device before July 1, when the prices of such devices will surely go up.

If you choose to ignore the law altogether and continue to talk on a handheld cell phone while driving after July 1, be prepared to pay.

[HTML_REMOVED]Dave Weiner is UW Bothell/Cascadia Community College security and campus safety officer and retired police officer.[HTML_REMOVED]