No text messaging + driving in Washington allowed
This post was published 2 years 6 months 10 days ago and its content may not be valid anymore.As soon as I saw that this local law had passed, I immediately placed bets on which of my friends would receive tickets first. Washington state is the first state to make texting while driving illegal. That’s right, the act of text messaging.
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire yesterday signed this country’s first law putting the kibosh on the dangerous practice of text messaging while behind the wheel of a moving automobile. … Bully for her.
Lawmakers in the other Washington should take note and follow suit, but in the meantime several other states, including New Jersey, are considering similar legislation.
Sometimes the law is an ass. Sometimes it just takes awhile to wake up.
A major weakness in the Washington law is that it allows for enforcement of the no-texting-while-driving provision only when the driver has already committed another traffic offense. Moreover, the paltry fine of $101 will mean little to the Crackberry-obsessed businesspeople who consider their need to communicate while cruising the fast lane more important than the safety of those around them.
So let’s all be honest. Who out there is guilty of text messaging while driving? I don’t care if it’s texting while sitting at a stop light or texting with one hand while driving down the freeway. Actually, what I should be asking if who hasn’t sent messages while driving?
Not I, says Websnap. Truth.
Ok, when the police get near, throw your phone on the floor.
Big fucking woop.
Seriously? That’s your answer? How about waiting till you’re done driving? Or, hell, pull the fuck over?
I can say I’ve sent a few messages while driving in my day. But it’s mostly at red lights because I’m not the fastest txt messenger on my phone.
But honestly, I don’t think I can see this being enforced very well.
hey, well, i think it is a good idea. yeah it sucks for others, but there has got to be some sort of statistic associated with texting, driving, and crash rates. my parents’ best friend had his car totaled from a teen girl who was texting and driving and crashed into his parked car. there’s one number to consider.
yes, i’m guilty of writing and reading texts at a stop light.
I don’t even own a cell phone… But if I did, I’d have more sense than to risk the safety of anyone for something as unnecessary as texting…. XP
(although I do live in WA–yes, that’s the main reason I decided to read this…)