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New Washington State Law On Texting While Driving l Accident Lawyer
Davis Law Group
OLYMPIA — Thinking about texting your buddy from the road about where to watch the bowl games today? Better put on a headset and call instead, or else face a serious hit to the beer fund.
Under a new law that takes effect today, drivers who read and compose text messages could face a $124 ticket. If texting while driving leads to a car accident, the ticket could increase to $175.
"Any distraction is a bad distraction, but texting in particular," said Bob Calkins, a spokesman for the State Patrol. "Nobody is that good a driver that they can have their eyes down looking at a PDA [personal digital assistant] and not looking at the road."
The texting law is one of nearly 20 that take effect today. Most of the more than 500 measures passed by the 2007 Legislature took effect in July.
The law makes texting while driving a secondary offense, meaning drivers can receive a ticket only if they are pulled over for a primary offense such as speeding or running a red light.
A ticket will not become part of a driver's record, and dialing a phone is not considered text messaging. The measure exempts transit and emergency-vehicle personnel, as well as anyone who is text-messaging to report illegal activity or summon emergency help.
A companion measure that will require drivers to use a hands-free headset if they want to talk on a cellphone takes effect July 1.
Seattle Attorney Chris Davis
►10.0 'Superb' Lawyer rating from Avvo.►“Super Lawyer” in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 by Washington Law & Politics magazine.
►“Rising Star Attorney” in 2006 by Washington Law & Politics magazine.
►‘Who’s Who in Personal Injury Law’ (The top 40 PI attorneys in Washington) 2007.
►Washington State Association for Justice Board of Governors in 2007 & 2008.
►“Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Washington State” by the American Association for Justice (formerly known as American Trial Lawyers Association).
► A+ Rating by the Better Business Bureau.
► 'Washington Personal Injury Attorney' of the year for 2011 by the American Lawyer Academy.
Davis Law Group founder, Christopher M. Davis, is recognized as one of the Puget Sound area's most innovative and experienced personal injury lawyers, solely devoting his practice to personal injury cases such as: car and truck accidents, wrongful death, and medical malpractice.
Davis Law Group and attorney Chris Davis has been featured in news reports on these local and national news sources:
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