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.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

File photo of a brown bear. (Getty images)...

Tom Brock

Close call in Index: Bear attack leaves resident with only minor wounds

An Index resident survived a bear attack outside their home Sunday morning and was only slightly hurt.

6 minutes ago

A crash involving a motorhome and a Washington State Patrol vehicle injured the trooper and sent th...

Tom Brock

Washington State Patrol trooper injured after motorhome slams into cruiser on I-5 in Seattle

A three-vehicle crash on I-5 in Seattle put a Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper in the hospital Sunday morning.

2 hours ago

shootout...

Tom Brock

North Seattle shootout leaves dozens of shell casings, hair-raising close call for woman in her apartment

People living in a north Seattle neighborhood survived a shootout Saturday morning, but their homes and cars were damaged in a flurry of gunfire.

23 hours ago

Everett...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Everett proposes a $766 million budget with a potential new sales tax

Everett’s proposed budget for next year does not cut services or staff, but it could include a new sales tax to fund public safety.

1 day ago

Bellevue’s Cantina Monarca sets sights on Seattle waterfront debut in 2027...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Bellevue’s Cantina Monarca sets sights on Seattle waterfront debut in 2027

From gourmet tacos to lobster enchiladas, Bellevue's Cantina Monarca is coming to Seattle.

1 day ago

Seahawks...

Luke Duecy

Seahawks vs. Chiefs: How the 12s can reclaim the world record for loudest stadium

Seattle Seahawks fans have a record to reclaim, and science offers a few clues about how to do it.

1 day ago

Grace period for distracted driving law ends in Washington