The Washington State Senate has toughened its cell phone driving law, which may mean fewer auto accidents and fewer injuries down the road.

As reported by the Associated Press, the Senate passed a measure on Friday, Februrary 5, 2010 that makes it a primary offense to text or talk on a cell phone without a headset:

On a 33-15 vote Friday, the Senate passed a bill that makes it a primary offense to be caught holding a cell phone to your ear while driving, or to be reading, writing or sending text messages. That strengthens the state’s current secondary offense law, which only slaps drivers with an extra fine if they are pulled over for another infraction, such as speeding.

Police are now free to pull over drivers for texting or talking without a headset and issue them a $124 ticket.

This change to the law is a positive step toward protecting the safety and health of drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians across the state.

Here’s hoping that other states (Washington is one of six with similar primary offense laws) will follow suit.

Yours in health and safety,

Evergreen Chiropractic

Evergreen Chiropractic Capitol Hill

1666 E Olive Way

Seattle, WA 98102

(206) 323-1666