Meta Description: Learn the facts about distracted driving in WA. Understand the texting laws in WA, hands-free rules, and what happens if you use your phone while driving.
In Washington, distracted driving is treated with the same seriousness as any other form of impairment. The state’s strict “Driving Under the Influence of Electronics” (E-DUI) law makes it a primary offense to hold a personal electronic device while you are on the road.
This isn’t just about safety—it’s about the law. Understanding these rules is a critical part of the WMST defensive driving mindset. A focused driver is a safe driver, and in Washington, it’s the only legal way to drive.
Understanding the Dangers of Distraction
A driver’s “job” is to drive. Any activity that takes your eyes off the road (visual), your hands off the wheel (manual), or your mind off driving (cognitive) is a distraction. Using a phone is the most dangerous distraction because it involves all three.
Consider these facts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other safety studies:
- Texting vs. Drunk Driving: A study from the Transport Research Laboratory found that texting slows a driver’s reaction time by 35%. For comparison, driving at the legal 0.08% blood alcohol limit slows it by just 12%.
- The 5-Second Rule: Sending or reading a single text takes your eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the entire length of a football field completely blind.
- Braking Distance: A Car and Driver magazine test found that a driver who was texting took 70 feet longer to brake than an undistracted driver. A driver at the legal alcohol limit took only 4 feet longer.
Washington’s Hands-Free and Phone Use Laws
Washington’s E-DUI law is simple and strict:
- Primary Offense: It is illegal to hold a personal electronic device (phone, tablet, etc.) in your hand while you are driving. This is a primary offense, meaning an officer can pull you over just for seeing you hold your phone.
- “Driving” Defined: The law defines “driving” as operating a motor vehicle on a public highway, “including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays.”
- Hands-Free Rules: You are allowed to use a device in hands-free mode (like Bluetooth or a speakerphone). However, you are only allowed “the minimal use of a finger to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function.”
- The Learner’s Permit Exception: This is the most critical rule for new drivers. If you have a Learner’s Permit or an Intermediate License, you are banned from using any wireless device, even hands-free, except to report an emergency.
How to Stay Focused Behind the Wheel
The only way to guarantee you are a safe and legal driver is to eliminate temptation.
- Set It and Forget It: Before you put the car in drive, set your GPS, queue your playlist, and send your text.
- Mount Your Device: If you use your phone for GPS, it must be in a secure, dashboard- or windshield-mounted cradle.
- Use “Do Not Disturb”: Put your phone in “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode or place it in the glove box or center console where you cannot be tempted to look at it.
- Don’t Make Acceptions: No one starts out consciously choosing to drive distracted. However, one quick peek at a text inevitably leads for a second look, which lead to a habit of looking. Break the habit before it begins and make a 110% commitment to stay off your phone when driving!
WMST’s Emphasis on Distraction-Free Driving
At WMST, we teach that a focused driver is a safe driver. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s the core of our WMST defensive driving philosophy.
Our instructors train you to build habits of active focus. This is why we drill the 4-second following distance—it’s a physical “bubble” that gives you the time to react to other drivers who are distracted. Our six full hours of real, behind-the-wheel instruction (not simulations) are designed to build the “muscle memory” of scanning, checking mirrors, and anticipating hazards, which are all tasks that are impossible to do if you are looking at a screen.
Conclusion
In Washington, the law is clear: your phone is a tool, not a toy. By committing to a 100% distraction-free drive, you are protecting your life, your driving record, and the lives of everyone you share the road with.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use my phone at a red light?
No. This is one of the most common misunderstandings. The law explicitly states that “driving” includes being “temporarily stationary… at a traffic control device.” It is illegal to hold your phone at a red light, and you can be ticketed for it.
What’s the fine for distracted driving in WA?
For a first E-DUI offense, the fine is at least $136. A second offense within five years is at least $234. This violation is reported to your insurance company, which will likely raise your rates.
Are GPS devices allowed while driving?
Yes, but only if they are used legally. The device (or your phone running a GPS app) must be in a cradle mounted to the dashboard, windshield, or console. You cannot hold it, and you can only use “minimal use of a finger” to operate it. Your destination must be programmed before you start driving.
How does distracted driving affect reaction time?
It impairs it as much as, or more than, driving drunk. Studies show texting can slow your reaction time by 35% or more. This delay can turn a near-miss into a serious collision.
