A new law imposing stiff penalties on those who drive while
under the influence…of electronics… goes into effect in Washington state soon.
The new law, commonly referred to as “E-DUI,” was enacted in an attempt to
reduce distracted driving. The state’s drivers will no longer be allowed to use
a cell phone- or any electronic device- while driving, even when stopped at a traffic light.
The
bill was proposed in response to a reported 32 percent increase in deaths from
distracted driving from 2014 to 2015. Washington Governor Jay Inslee, standing
on the steps of the state Capitol in Olympia, said: “Put the cell phones down,
preserve life. When you are driving with a cell phone, you are a more dangerous
driver than if you are driving drunk with a .08 blood alcohol level.”
State
troopers will hand out warnings for the first few months before they start
writing tickets. The first citation will cost drivers $136. A second within
five years will result in a $236 fine. (A third such infraction will result in
the death penalty, but only if the driver is a white male. Just kidding.
Lighten up, Francis).
Tickets
issued for driving while electronically impaired will go on a motorist’s record and be reported to their insurance provider,
according to a state-run website. Gov. Inslee says he believes this law will be
as successful as the “click it, or ticket” seat-belt law that now has a 95%
compliance rate in the Evergreen State.
Under
the new law, drivers can also get a $99 ticket for “other distractions,” such
as grooming, smoking, eating or reading, if it interferes with safe driving and
they are pulled over for another traffic offense. Sewing or knitting, working
on a crossword puzzle, playing solitaire, changing clothes, wearing earmuffs or
headphones, playing Pokémon Go, having sex, playing a musical instrument, and
taking a dump are also believed to be verboten.
Gov.
Inslee boasted that passing the electronic driving while impaired bill was a
huge step forward for his state, saying: “There’s hardly anything we’ve done in
the last several years at the state Capitol to save more lives than this
distracted driving law.”
It is
odd that Washington doesn’t tolerate driving while under the influence of
alcohol, or driving “while under the influence of electronics,” but is
apparently perfectly okay with motorists driving while under the influence of
marijuana. It is particularly odd considering that, according to the state’s
own Marijuana Impact Report, incidents of marijuana-impaired driving have increased
dramatically since the state legalized “recreational” use of the drug in 2012.
What’s more, fatal driving accidents
increased by an incredible 122 percent from 2010 to 2014 alone, according to
the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission.
Yes, you
can be well and truly baked- like an Idaho potato- behind the wheel in
Washington, but don’t reach for a beer…or your phone.
The state of Washington
is literally going to pot.
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