Written by HUMAN RESOURCES & RISK MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
June 20, 2008
TO: All Employees
FROM: Nancy A. Carlson
Human Resources and Risk Management Administrator
SUBJECT: USE OF CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING
On July 1, 2008 a new Washington State Law regarding the use of wireless communication devices will go into effect. Specifically, the law reads, “a person operating a moving motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to his or her ear is guilty of a traffic infraction.“
There are some exceptions to the law which include; public safety personnel operating an authorized emergency vehicle, the coroner, and the prosecuting attorney’s office. The law also exempts an individual that is; reporting illegal activity, summoning medical or other emergency help; calling to prevent injury to a person or property, and those who are required to use a hearing aid.
The law does not completely ban the use of wireless communications devises, as it allows the use if the devise can be used in a “hands-free mode.” Hands-free mode has been defined to mean a wireless communications devise with a speaker phone, headset, or earpiece.
City Administrators understand that many of you depend on your cell phones to communicate with your supervisor, colleagues, and customers of the City, and that many of these calls are made while you’re driving from one appointment to the next. Before we all attach a device to our phones to comply with the law, it is important to remember why this law was passed. The legislative intent of the law reads:
“The use of wireless communications devices by motorists has increased in recent years. While wireless communications devices have assisted with quick reporting of road emergencies, their use has also contributed to accidents and other mishaps on Washington state roadways. When motorists hold a wireless communications device in one hand and drive with the other, their chances of becoming involved in a traffic mishap increases. It is the legislature’s intent to phase out the use of hand=held wireless communications devices by motorists while operating a vehicle.
Your safety is the most important issue. Therefore, we would strongly suggest that you pull over to take or make a call. If it is an incoming call that can wait, let the call go to voice mail and return the call when you stop. You are allowed to use your phone while driving only if it has a speaker, or is attached to some other device which makes it hands free. Departments have been authorized to purchase the necessary adaptors to allow you to use your phone, hands free. The Bluetooth device has not been approved.
Thank you for your cooperation and please drive safely.
PLEASE POST THIS NOTICE IN AREAS WHERE EMPLOYEES DO NOT HAVE INDIVIDUAL EMAIL
I already use a headset all the time while driving AND have one of those car speaker things. I support the rule in it’s general sense and agree with it’s intent…it has raised some hackles with me! Letting a call go to voice mail costs me more money than answering it. they want me, are requiring me to BUY more ‘devices’ while the cell phone companies charge more and more per minute. And a large chunk goes to taxes!
yes big brother.
I know a good way to phase out the use! require cell phone companies to toss in FREE headsets with every phone!! I have to have a dumb adapter to my razor which if I lose would cost $10 and that’s not the headset! Of course, many new cars sync with your phone, but only one driver.
oh really?
specifically mentioning ONE particular company?? I’m not telling, but I think they will find out. Maybe legislature wants Bluetooth to give them all devices to ‘test’ out to ‘earn’ approval?
How about addressing the point in driver’s ed or tv commercials about safety rather than making a law to “PHASE out the use”? naw, we’ll just throw another LAW at them!
grumble
(and I’m wearing my headset now, even. It’s so stylish!)
Cat
This law is typical bigger government. There are already laws on the books to address this. Renton has a code for innattention and the state has a law for negligent driving. An officer seeing someone driving like a fool because of the use of the cell phone can articulate it and cite under these laws. We always seem to add more laws and rules, but never take bad laws off the books.
Antoher point to make. What is safer, an officer running lights and sirens to a call with one hand on the mic amd one on the wheel, or a citizen driving the speed limit talking on the phone? Did you notice the exceptions in the law? With modern technology, why do you see officers on the phone all the time while driving?
I’d rather the officer’s time be spent on murder and theft and real crime.
Course, with price of gas, none of us will be driving in another few years anyway.
sigh.
!??!
You’re far more likely to get killed by a car crash than to be murdered.*
If anything, we need to take driving more seriously around here. Nothing worse than the joyriding tweakers and pot heads ’round here.
* http://www.disastercenter.com/cdc/111riske.html
Re: !??!
more driver education, then. that tweakers and pot heads can’t pass!!
Re: !??!
That’d be awesome if we could make the test harder!
Right now, you just have to be barely aware of your surroundings and not drool too much and you’ll pass the drivers test.
The German auto inspections would be nice to copy – keep all the badly repaired junkers off the road. I’ve seen a lot of Lexus drivers who could barely afford their leases driving on bald tires as well – it’s sort of become a cliche.
Re: !??!
Rentonben I have to ask, are you happy with anything in our wonderful town?
Re: !??!
Happy! Happy!
Of course I’m happy! Renton has:
Awesome parks.
Down to earth people.
A real library with lots of well selected books.
5 different kinds of ethnic BBQ.
A government that’s doing the best it can to make this place better.
Frys, Ikea, McClindons.
Halal, Mexican, Vietnamese, Somali and Russian grocery stores.
A fast and caring police force.
A fancy steak house that’s four blocks away from a kosher vegetarian Indian restaurant.
Hard working immigrants.
Little planes in the sky made by the amazing little old men.
Ducks.
Three theatre groups.
This town is awesome.
A few tweaks and this place would be heaven.
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