Washington State distracted driving law?

Hello Everyone,

I have been away from the hobby for several years. In the meantime Washington passed a law restricting the use of cell phone use in your vehicle. The law is fairly broad.

I am working on getting started again with a mobile setup and it occurred to me that I may get ticketed for using my mobile radio.

Does anyone have any information regarding what is allowed and what is not?

Thanks.

Stephen

 

Ham radios apply.

 

Since you're in Texas, how do you know what the situation is in Washington state?

 

You can do a search of the motor vehicle code for many states. Your state may be available.

 

Contact your ARRL Division Director:
Mike Ritz - W7VO
w7vo@arrl.org
503-987-1269

 

Reference the law itself:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.672

 

Thanks, it's amazing what can be found if you just take a moment to search for it.

 

As a aside, it's scary... The law prohibits "use", and classifies "use" to include "holding a personal electronic device in either or both hands". Wow, that opens to a lot of possible abuse, I'd think.

 

THANK YOU!

I read an article that quoted the law and did not "fact check" the article. They did not post the full text. The definition at the end was not included.

 

We can "thank" some people in CT for interfering in our driving laws here in WA.