fyi: RCW 46.61.667 Using a wireless communications device while driving. (Effective July 1, 2008.) (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person operating a moving motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to his or her ear is guilty of a traffic infraction. (2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to a person operating: (a) An authorized emergency vehicle, or a tow truck responding to a disabled vehicle; (b) A moving motor vehicle using a wireless communications device in hands-free mode; (c) A moving motor vehicle using a hand-held wireless communications device to: (i) Report illegal activity; (ii) Summon medical or other emergency help; (iii) Prevent injury to a person or property; (d) A moving motor vehicle while using a hearing aid. (3) Subsection (1) of this section does not restrict the operation of an amateur radio station by a person who holds a valid amateur radio operator license issued by the federal communications commission. (4) For purposes of this section, "hands-free mode" means the use of a wireless communications device with a speaker phone, headset, or earpiece. (5) The state preempts the field of regulating the use of wireless communications devices in motor vehicles, and this section supersedes any local laws, ordinances, orders, rules, or regulations enacted by a political subdivision or municipality to regulate the use of wireless communications devices by the operator of a motor vehicle. (6) Enforcement of this section by law enforcement officers may be accomplished only as a secondary action when a driver of a motor vehicle has been detained for a suspected violation of this ***le or an equivalent local ordinance or some other offense. (7) Infractions that result from the use of a wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle under this section shall not become part of the driver's record under RCW 46.52.101 and 46.52.120. Additionally, a finding that a person has committed a traffic infraction under this section shall not be made available to insurance companies or employers.
It won't stop anyone, but it's a nice thought (we have that law here and I see idiots all the time holding up a phone. The cl***ic had to be this broad in a Gran Prix doing 20 mph more than everyone else zipping across three lanes of the interstate to get to the light at the end of the ramp 10 seconds before everyone else). But how does it relate to discussing traditional hot rods and customs?
It serves as a reminder to those of us in WA State. It might be a wakeup to some of the younger guys who don't watch the news, read the paper or listen to the radio in the car with news reports. "Oh yea I need to get to Best Buy an get that Bluetooth head set. As the police officers I work around daily say. You can almost always find a reason to stop a vehicle if you want to. And it may save one or two H.A.M.B. members cars in Wa from being hit which is a good thing. The ticket is about 120.00 so you can bet the law enforcement folks in the smaller towns will find a reason to stop the drivers who they see with phones to their ear. "Mam, you crossed the fog line twice back there, and by the way here is your ticket for driving with a phone up to your ear".
they have this in detroit, and when it went in effect they busted alot of people at the 5 oclock hour, now a year or so later they dont care anymore let them keep running with the phones in their ears
If you can talk on your cell phone while driving your traditional hot rod or custom there are plenty of HAMB vendors that would be glad to help you out with your exhaust "problems".
Hahha..I like this one.. Ive got a 97 H.D. with 2-1/8" Sampsons on it stage 4 engine.. I love to hang right next to them as they "Try" to cary on a conversation as their windows and fenders rattle. they have no clue as to how distracted they are with that thing in their ear..yesterday on my way home..some "person"(will not get into gender) was in the left lane doing 60..with a magazine on the steering wheel, ****ing texting..I pulled up along side them and finnaly got their attention and motioned them to move over.. They did and exited the E-way..they have no clue to the danger they are on the road..mindlessly puttering along hey i know im a ***** for doing this..I dont care!, at least they know im there..and im not going to end up a red smear on the pavement because they were distracted.
Not real big on a bunch of new laws but thats a good one and we could use it too. now if they can just control the loud thump, thump stereo's that shake your house when they go by. Damn, I hate those.
The real issue is people TEXTING while they're driving!!! I've seen people driving manual transmission cars in rush hour while trying to feather the clutch, shift, steer AND send a text message. That's some ******** right there...
Here in NY if those lazy *** cops would start issuing tickets at ( I believe) $100 at a pop they would fill their coffers a lot sooner. Believe me its the most abused law here. Cops don't care, they have more important things to do.... but no one has figured out what it is ....... also another favorite thing to do they stop you on an entry ramp to an expressway and stick it up your *** with registration/inspection stickers out of date its called the Buny law, buckle up NY and is a goldmine end of rant
So, wireless huh? If I get a reciever from an old rotory phone, complete with the curly cord, I should be legal and good to go.
It has been a law here in NY for a while, everyone still drives just as bad. All of the soccer mom's in the SUVs on their handfree phones are as dangerous as if the phone was to their ear. Probably worse actually, now they have 2 free hands to do their makeup with.
People get so engrossed in their conversations, that it is hard to think that having another hand on the wheel will help. They might be able to take notes though.
I was with them right up until this section. Granted, the overall issue is to 'promote safety' but when they put this part into the law, it negates this being a safety issue and makes it primarily makes it that of a revenue generator. Want to really make this stick and sting? Reverse this section of the law. Driver points and rising insurance fees would drive this down and into greater effect. The loophole is that while the cop is pulling up on you, flip over and dial 911, then you are reporting something going on in front of you, and thereby in compliance with the law.
I guess we all have horror stories of near misses or collisions due to cell phone users with their head deep in the shadow of their ***... It's a welcome change to create consequences for these folks...
I like some other counties better. All hands free and NO headset. You want phone? It is docked and it cuts out ll radios etc. You talk on speakerphone like On* as an example. It cuts down on call times and what you say especially when you have p***engers. And if that loud bike or car comes along side oh well.
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