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Distracted driving law goes into effect
Distracted driving law goes into effect
TACOMA -- At least 28,000 people have decided that a Washington state law against distracted driving takes enforcement too far.
The News Tribune reported Tuesday that a petition to ban the law had gathered nearly 30,000 signatures just three days after it went into effect.
The law bans the use of handheld devices, including cellphones and tablets while driving. But it also allows officers to issue additional tickets if the driver is pulled over for using a handheld device. Those additional $99 tickets can be issued for behaviors such as eating, drinking or grooming while driving.
Many people who signed the petition wrote that they are unwilling to give up eating or drinking while driving.
The Washington State Patrol has said troopers are not yet writing tickets, but rather giving warnings while people learn about the new law.
Troopers also say you cannot get pulled over just for taking a sip of water: