Ninth time’s the charm?

OLYMPIA – She’s been at it since 1999.

Sen. Tracey J. Eide, D-Federal Way, has championed safer roads and freeways since she began serving in the upper chamber. Her bill to restrict the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers passed the Senate last night 29-18, with two senators excused. In previous years, the measure has come successfully out of the Senate and stalled in the House of Representatives.

“The research is clear: Driving while talking on a hand-held cell phone is as dangerous as driving with a .08 percent blood-alcohol level,” Eide said. “I have heard countless stories from people throughout the state about collisions and near collisions with cell phone-talking drivers. They want the roads to be safe for themselves and their families.”

Under Senate Bill 5037, a person operating a moving vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to the ear would be guilty of a traffic infraction, although enforcement would be as a secondary offense, meaning that the driver would have had to commit another infraction in order to be pulled over for this one. Infractions would not be reported to insurance companies. The prohibition would not apply to someone driving an emergency vehicle, using a hands-free wireless device or to report illegal activity, summon emergency assistance or prevent injury. The bill also would exempt tow truck drivers responding to disabled vehicles.

The bill moves to the House for further consideration.

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