Tickets Flying - New Washington Cell Phone Law

We posted about the new Washington cell phone law that took effect on June 10, 2010.  The new law made talking on a cell phone without a hands free device while driving a primary offense, the same went for texting while driving. Washington police promised not to give any break in period.

Police started writing tickets from day one. And boy have they been writing those $124 tickets. In the first three weeks of the new cell phone law 670 tickets have been issued to drivers with cell phone in hand or texting while driving.

According to WSP troopers that number is up from 110 in the same time frame last year. Wow, that's crazy - a 500% increase in tickets. Watch out budget crisis, here comes a wave of new funds to the tune of $83,080 in 20 days. Police also issued 500 warnings.  

Despite the large number of tickets and warnings the new law in my opinion is not changing many people's behavior. I still see lots of people with phone in hand to ear when I'm driving around the Seattle area. Whether the new law will reduce Washington car accidents is anyone's guess. Time will tell!  What it will do in the short term is generate needed cash for the good ol' State of Washington coffers.