Oregon Representative Cited For Using Phone While Driving

PORTLAND, OR — Whilst driving to the KATU studios in Portland to record a news segment, an Oregon state representative who helped champion the state's new hands-free driving law was reportedly pulled over and cited for using her phone.

According to KATU News, District 37 Rep. Julie Parrish (R-OR) was cited for looking at her phone's GPS for directions to the KATU studios. Parrish's citation, reportedly her first offense, will cost $265.

"It takes a lot of work to raise a kid and to watch a child's life be snuffed out in just a minute because of [a] distracted driving incident,” Parrish told KATU reporters. "As a mom, that's scary."

The new law for Oregon drivers went into effect Oct. 1, and was put into place in response to loop holes administrators found in the state's previous driving laws.

At it's most basic level, the new law states that at no time shall any driver hold in their hands an electronic device if the vehicle is not legally parked. According to the state, these are a few exceptions to the new rules:

• When using hands-free or built-in devices, if you are 18 years of age or older.
• Use of a single touch or swipe to activate or deactivate the device.
• When parked safely in a designated parking spot. (State officials clarified it is not legal to use any device when stopped at a stop light, stop sign, or in traffic. The vehicle must be in park in a parking space.)
• While providing or summoning medical help and no one else is available to make the call.
• To truck or bus drivers following the federal rules for CDL holders.
• When using a two-way radio if you are a CB user, school bus driver, utility truck driver in scope of employment.
• If you are a HAM radio operator age 18 years or older.

Punishments for violations include fines up to $1,000 for offenses that don't involve a crash, or $2,500 for offenses that do (or for a second violation). A third violation will be treated as a misdemeanor and could land the offender in jail for 6 months and also include a $2,500 fine.

Beginning Jan. 1, courts will have the option of waiving fines for first-time offenders who enroll in Distracted Driving Avoidance classes.

Related Coverage on Patch.com:

Beaverton Police Produce Educational Video To Help Explain Oregon's New Hands-Free Law

Image: AP Photo/Jonathan J. Cooper