Yakima Police hand out hundreds of citations to people still talking while driving
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Talking and texting while driving. It's been against the law for two years, yet drivers still do it every day.
Everyone knows or should know by now that using a cell phone behind the wheel is against the law.
"I think it becomes a habit. The phone rings and you automatically go for it," said one Yakima woman.
"It's just something people do on their phones. It's not gonna stop," said a Yakima driver.
"I think a lot of people aren't aware of the rules," said a Yakima student.
The rules are clear. Drivers can't talk or text and only hands-free devices are allowed.
It's a hot button issue that hasn't gone away. In fact, hundreds of you commented about the issue on the KIMA Facebook page.
Captain Rod Light says Yakima officers handed out more than 600 citations last year.
The law says you're not allowed to be on your phone talking or texting while driving, by the way having your phone on speaker, well that's against the law too.
Some drivers say they don't want to follow the rules when they see authorities on the phone.
(KIMA: "Some people have said, I see police driving by on their phones, that's not fair, what do you guys say to that? Is it part of the job?")
"Well, it is part of the job, when the law was enacted there was an exemption placed for officers to be allowed to use their phones," Light said.
Getting caught will cost you $124.
"Certainly it is a bad habit and it's not just a bad habit, it's against the law," Light said.
Two years and plenty of attention given to the law hasn't been enough to stop it.
Everyone knows or should know by now that using a cell phone behind the wheel is against the law.
"I think it becomes a habit. The phone rings and you automatically go for it," said one Yakima woman.
"It's just something people do on their phones. It's not gonna stop," said a Yakima driver.
"I think a lot of people aren't aware of the rules," said a Yakima student.
The rules are clear. Drivers can't talk or text and only hands-free devices are allowed.
It's a hot button issue that hasn't gone away. In fact, hundreds of you commented about the issue on the KIMA Facebook page.
Captain Rod Light says Yakima officers handed out more than 600 citations last year.
The law says you're not allowed to be on your phone talking or texting while driving, by the way having your phone on speaker, well that's against the law too.
Some drivers say they don't want to follow the rules when they see authorities on the phone.
(KIMA: "Some people have said, I see police driving by on their phones, that's not fair, what do you guys say to that? Is it part of the job?")
"Well, it is part of the job, when the law was enacted there was an exemption placed for officers to be allowed to use their phones," Light said.
Getting caught will cost you $124.
"Certainly it is a bad habit and it's not just a bad habit, it's against the law," Light said.
Two years and plenty of attention given to the law hasn't been enough to stop it.
KIMA had this story before and again has it wrong again.
I have posted the LAW below so you can see to be in violation of law it must be held to the ear and there are exceptions listed as well, take time to read.
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RCW 46.61.667Using a wireless communications device while driving.
(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a person operating a moving motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to his or her ear is guilty of a traffic infraction. Â Â Â Â
(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to a person operating: Â Â Â Â
(a) An authorized emergency vehicle, or a tow truck responding to a disabled vehicle; Â Â Â Â
(b) A moving motor vehicle using a wireless communications device in hands-free mode; Â Â Â Â
(c) A moving motor vehicle using a hand-held wireless communications device to: Â Â Â Â
(i) Report illegal activity; Â Â Â Â
(ii) Summon medical or other emergency help; Â Â Â Â
(iii) Prevent injury to a person or property; or    Â
(iv) Relay information that is time sensitive between a transit or for-hire operator and that operator's dispatcher, in which the device is permanently affixed to the vehicle; Â Â Â Â (d) A moving motor vehicle while using a hearing aid. Â Â Â Â
(3) Subsection (1) of this section does not restrict the operation of an amateur radio station by a person who holds a valid amateur radio operator license issued by the federal communications commission. Â Â Â Â
(4) For purposes of this section, "hands-free mode" means the use of a wireless communications device with a speaker phone, headset, or earpiece. Â Â Â Â
(5) The state preempts the field of regulating the use of wireless communications devices in motor vehicles, and this section supersedes any local laws, ordinances, orders, rules, or regulations enacted by a political subdivision or municipality to regulate the use of wireless communications devices by the operator of a motor vehicle. Â Â Â Â
(6) Infractions that result from the use of a wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle under this section shall not become part of the driver's record under RCW 46.52.101 and 46.52.120. Additionally, a finding that a person has committed a traffic infraction under this section shall not be made available to insurance companies or employers.