King County drivers busted over 1,100 times in 6 weeks for cell phone violations
Sep 4, 2013, 4:55 PM | Updated: 5:05 pm
Sometimes, it might be up to the law enforcement agencies to determine what proper cell phone use while driving is. (AP)
(AP)
Clearly the warnings aren’t working. The Washington State Patrol says cops issued more than 1,100 citations in the past six weeks across King County to drivers using cell phones behind the wheel. Another 180 were ticketed for texting while driving during the six week emphasis patrols.
“Despite the warnings in the media, we still found a lot of drivers without their full attention on the road,” said Lt. Mike Rupert of the Washington State Patrol. “This special (patrol) campaign is over, but officers and troopers continue to be on the lookout for cell phone violations.”
State law prohibits drivers from texting or talking on their cell phones without the use of a hands-free device. The fine is $124 but could be increased in the case of a traffic collision. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use any cell phone device.
The extra patrols were funded by grants from King County Emergency Medical Services and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission with the coordination of the King County Target Zero Task Force, the State Patrol said.
