State Senate Votes to Ban Smartphone Use Behind The Wheel

Smartphones had outsmarted the legal system, but now legislators are catching up.

Tuesday, the Washington State Senate voted 35-14 to ban all smartphone functions behind the wheel, expanding the talking portion of the law.

When cellphone use first exploded, and the first cellphone laws were passed in 2008, people pretty much just used them for talking while driving.  Bluetooth and other hands-free devices have largely curbed most drivers talking with the phone up to their ear.

But smartphones came along, offering texting, Googling, Facebooking and a myriad of other functions that can be utilized without holding phone up to one's ear.  This new bill covers those, and according to legislators, closes the loopholes.

Under the old state law,  it was NOT illegal to be checking Facebook, texting or otherwise utilizing your smartphone while driving.  But now, if an officer sees you obviously tapping away or looking at your phone while you are driving, you can get a $209 ticket.

This includes looking at and working your phone while stopped at a red light.  After the first offense,  the bill would stipulate that any further such smartphone tickets would affect your insurance rates!

The bill will have to get House approval, then be signed by Gov. Inslee.