Washington’s speeding and traffic laws are constantly changing. In case you have not heard, starting June 10, 2010, talking on a cell phone without a headset or texting becomes a primary offense under Washington State traffic law.
This means Officers can pull you over and issue you a Washington traffic ticket solely on this basis. Previously, Officers could only ticket you for talking on the cell phone or texting if you were first pulled over for something else that was a primary offense, such as speeding, running a red light, or failing to yield.
Even more important, however, is if you are less than 18 years of age. If you are under 18, you cannot talk on a cell phone at all while driving. If you are over 18 you can still use a hands free headset to talk on the phone but that is specifically prohibited for those under 18.
Tickets will remain at $124. These tickets also will not show up on your driving record.
Apparently, the Chief of the WSP would prefer if no one talk on the phone while driving. Frankly, I do not see a law ever passing which would ban it entirely. But you can now be issued a Washington traffic ticket solely for violating this new law.