Mike Prager
The Spokesman-Review

Lawmakers convening in Olympia want to toughen laws on two types of illegal driving: speeding through school zones and talking on cell phone without a hands-free device.
State Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, has proposed making it a primary offense to talk on a cell phone held to your ear or to engage in text messaging while driving.

Earlier this month, Eide held a news conference in which she invited reporters to negotiate an obstacle course while using a cell phone without a hands-free earpiece, which proved to difficult for them.

She called cell phoning while driving the “equivalent to drunk driving.”

A law that went into effect in 2008 makes it a secondary offense to use a cell phone without an earpiece or to send messages while driving.

That means that an officer cannot pull you over for the infraction but can issue a citation if you are pulled over for another reason, such as speeding.

Eide’s proposal would make it a primary offense, as does a recently enacted law in Oregon. It’s something traffic safety advocates nationwide are promoting.

The Washington law provides exemptions to make emergency calls or to report illegal activity. The infraction does not go on a driver’s record.

The fine is $101.

In the other legislation, state Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, wants to double penalties for speeding through school zones from $124 to $248 under Senate Bill 6363. The bill was referred to the Transportation Committee.

He said too many drivers are ignoring school zones under current penalties and that the risk to children is too great.

The bill also would allow crossing guards to notify authorities and get an investigation opened into a school zone speeding violation.