Police Targeting Cell Phone Use by Drivers, April 10 – 15, 2014

Vancouver Police and Clark County Sheriff’s Officers, not to mention Washington State Patrol and many other law enforcement agencies will be targeting distracted drivers who are committing traffic infractions by talking or texting on their hand-held cellular phone.  This is all part of a concerted national campaign with the slogan, “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.”

Exceptions include:

·         Using your hand-held phone to:

o   Report Illegal Activity

o   Call for Medical help

o   Call for emergency help

o   Prevent injury to a person or property (think reporting the swerving driver in front of you)

·         An infraction for this will cost you money, but will not:

o   Appear on your driving record

o   Be reported to your insurance company.

If you need any advice because you didn’t heed RCW 46.61.667, Tim McGraw, or this local lawyer’s blog, then contact us today.

Of potentially greater significance is if you’re distracted driving leads to an injury or death, you can be charged with Vehicular Assault or Vehicular Homicide (both felonies that we handle, but hope you never need our services for).