Washington next state to ban drive-by-talking
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington State has become the 21st state to ban talking or texting on a cell phone while driving with a hand-held device.
"We’re excited that Washington has joined us in our fight against distracted driving," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Texting while driving and talking on cell phones is a recipe for disaster on our nation’s highways."
Last month, the DOT released a sample bill for state legislatures to use when prohibiting texting while driving.
The sample state law is patterned on the Executive Order issued by President Obama on Oct. 1, 2009, directing federal employees not to engage in text messaging while driving government-owned vehicles or with government-owned equipment.
Earlier this year, the department announced a ban on texting or the use of handheld cell phones by drivers of commercial vehicles, with violators subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.
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