WSP: No grace period for drivers caught on the phone


May 14, 2010 · Updated 11:03 AM 

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The Washington State Patrol announced Friday it will not offer a grace period to drivers pulled over for talking or texting while driving once the law goes into effect in June.

The violation will cost drivers $124, according to a news release sent Friday.

Laws requiring hands-free devices were on the books in 2008 but were considered only secondary offenses requiring law enforcement to pull a driver over only after witnessing a separate infraction.

Beginning June 10, troopers can pull over drivers for talking or texting while driving. Since 2008, troopers have written about 3,000 tickets and about 5,900 warnings.

“Drivers have already had nearly two years to adjust their driving habits,” said

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste in the release. “We will fully enforce this law from day one.”

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