Washington's New Distracted Driving Law: 5 Things To Know

TACOMA, WA - Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday signed a new, tougher statewide distracted driving law. The law was supposed to go into effect in 2019, but Inslee vetoed that part of the bill, which means it will take effect in July. The new law bans drivers from holding a electronic device while driving, which includes holding or using a device while stopped at a traffic light. Inslee signed the law at the Washington State Patrol barracks in Tacoma.

Here are five key things to know about the state's new distracted driving law:

1. The law is aimed at preventing people from doing more than just talking on the phone. The law would prevent people from performing activities like checking email, texting, or playing a video game.
2. The law moves those activities into a new category, which means that texting or other use of an electronic device while driving will count as a moving violation, just like speeding or reckless driving.
3. An "electronic device" as defined under the law "includes, but is not limited to, a cell phone, tablet, laptop, two-way messaging device, or electronic game."
4. You can still use a finger to "activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of the device," which should be taken to mean hitting the sleep or power button.
5. The law does not apply to drivers in very specific circumstances: when someone is making a 911 call; transit workers communicating with dispatch; semi drivers using radios; and emergency responders, like firefighters communicating via radio.

Image via Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press