Washington Cell Phone Ban may Lead to New Roadside Danger | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

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As a Seattle car accident attorney, Washington personal injury lawyer and the founder of Teens Against Distracted Driving, I fully support the ban against texting and driving. Handheld cell phones are a very dangerous driving distraction that cause many Washington car accidents each year.

On March 26, a Washington State bill was passed into law banning the use of handheld cellular devices while driving. The ban goes into effect in June and is expected to prevent countless auto accidents. However, lawmakers are now worried that the ban will cause drivers to endanger themselves by pulling over on the shoulder of freeways to use their phones instead.

Although it may not seem all that hazardous, it is not uncommon for vehicles to be hit on the side of high speed roadways. Just last week, a man was hit and killed while he was filling his gas tank on the shoulder of a freeway. It is more dangerous than it may appear.

According to the Herald Net, state troopers encountered 7,500 drivers parked on the side of freeways in Snohomish County. Starting June, this number is expected to increase as more drivers pull over in order to text and talk on their cell phones.

Not only is it dangerous, but in Washington State pulling over on the shoulder of a freeway is also considered illegal. Drivers can be fined up to $124 for the offense.

Drivers are advised to exit the freeway and pull over before using a handheld cellular device. Drivers who choose to text and drive are endangering the lives of everyone on the road.

This information is provided by Straight Talk Law, where you can order free information on Washington car accidents, buying insurance, and other valuable legal information, offered as a public service by Bellevue personal injury attorney and author Jason Epstein and his King County car accident, Peirce County motorcycle accident, and Seattle wrongful death law firm in Seattle, Washington.