MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Grace period for distracted driving law ends in Washington

Jan 2, 2018, 6:26 AM | Updated: 6:27 am

Distracted driving, Washington, lawmaker...

(File, Associated Press)

(File, Associated Press)

If you’re caught driving while using your phone, you’ll no longer just get a warning.

RELATED: What you need to know about distracted driving

The Washington State Patrol’s grace period expired Monday, KIRO 7 reports.

Now, first-time violators will be fined $136. Get caught a second time, you’ll pay $234.

On top of that, drivers can get dinged for putting on makeup, smoking, eating, or reading while driving. Troopers can fine you an additional $99 for those behaviors if you’re pulled over for another offense.

According to the state Traffic Safety Commission, fatalities caused by distracted driving shot up by about one-third from 2014 to 2015.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: Suspects shot out of a stolen Chevy Tahoe in Pierce County....

Julia Dallas

Watch: Pierce County deputies shot at in midst of stolen SUV arrest

An arrest in Pierce County could have turned deadly after suspects in a stolen SUV shot at deputies in Parkland.

3 hours ago

Gavel law courts...

Luke Duecy

More charges of sexual assault aimed at Sumner basketball coach

The former Sumner High School head basketball coach charged with sexually assaulting his players is being arraigned on more charges.

3 hours ago

Image: Seattle Police Department activity on South Jackson Street between 12th Avenue and 10th Aven...

Steve Coogan

Suspect arrested following series of Seattle stabbings; 5 injured Friday

The Seattle Police Department reported it arrested a suspect after a mass stabbing in the Chinatown-International District left five injured.

3 hours ago

Image: President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally at J.S. Dorton Arena, Mond...

Associated Press

FBI thwarts Iranian murder-for-hire plan targeting Donald Trump

The Justice Department on Friday disclosed an Iranian murder-for-hire plot to kill Donald Trump, charging one man.

4 hours ago

Photo: Beyonce appears at a campaign event for Kamala Harris in Houston, on Oct. 25, 2024. She is a...

Maria Sherman, AP Music Writer

Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammy noms, becoming the most nominated artist in the show’s history

Welcome to Beyoncé country. When it comes to the 2025 Grammy Award nominations, “Cowboy Carter” rules the nation.

6 hours ago

Racist text...

Bill Kaczaraba

Gee Scott: Racist texts show ‘large population’ feels African Americans should go back to picking cotton

Black and Hispanic Americans, including women and children as young as middle school, have received racist text messages.

6 hours ago

Grace period for distracted driving law ends in Washington