Drivers ticketed, warned under new distracted driving law

Washington state troopers have issued nearly 1,000 warnings and nearly 100 tickets to drivers since the state's new distracted driving laws took effect in July.

Trooper Tim Williams said he's been trying to teach drivers about the one-touch rule.

"You can touch the phone once to change the song, to say yes or no to an update on your GPS-- things of that nature," he said.

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But, he says, text messages, Facebook, and other internet browsing is not allowed.

"We're educating the public rather than enforcing with infractions," he said. "The phone has to be affixed to the car. It can't be in your cup holder and you pick it up and change the radio and do whatever."

KIRO 7 asked for the data and WSP reported that in the month since the new law came into effect, they've issued 27 tickets and 236 warnings in Snohomish County; 31 tickets and 141 warnings in Pierce County; and 34 tickets and 557 warnings in King County.

KIRO 7 shared the information with Williams.

"That is a very strong indication that people are still on their phones," he said.

The state patrol is giving drivers a three to six-month grace period, but truly dangerous cases, like texting and swerving into other lanes, will still get drivers tickets.

Some drivers told us they are being more disciplined.

"I use [my phone] as little as possible in the car," Michele Holden told KIRO 7. "In fact, this trip I'm taking right now, I'm already an hour behind because I stopped to take a call."

People caught holding their phone while driving will be fined $136 dollars. A second electronic DUI ticket in 5 years is $234.

Drivers can also be ticketed $99 ​as a secondary offense if they are pulled over for something else, like speeding.

But not every law enforcement agency has a grace period as long as WSP's.

Bellevue police had a two-week grace period but since then has issued 158 tickets.

KIRO 7 requested information on how many tickets the Tacoma Police Department has issued and was told the information would be available through the Tacoma Municipal Court next week.​

Cox Media Group