Cell-phone rule raises worry of another danger

The state law banning people from using hand-held cell phones while driving goes into effect in June. As drivers across Washington prepare to ditch the phone or get a wireless device, Washington State Patrol troopers expect to see more people pulling over on the side of the freeway to use a cell phone.

In most cases, that’s illegal and could cost you $124, trooper Keith Leary said Monday.

Existing state law prohibits drivers from stopping alongside most major freeways except in emergencies, unless otherwise posted, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Melanie Coon said.

Just in Snohomish County last year, troopers encountered more than 7,500 drivers stopped on the shoulders of interstates and state highways, Leary said. Many of these drivers ran out of gas, had car problems or stopped to attend to small children in the car, but every day, troopers also encountered drivers who stopped to talk on their cell phone.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“We do understand drivers are trying to do the right thing and not create a hazard but they are potentially creating a hazard for themselves and other drivers if they can’t get back into traffic safely,” Leary said.

Sometimes even patrol cars with flashing lights get hit while stopped along a freeway shoulder, he said. In November, a trooper had to be cut free from his unmarked cruiser after it was hit by a suspected drunken driver while stopped along I-5 near Smokey Point. Luckily, he wasn’t seriously hurt.

“It’s dangerous for us even with the training we have,” Leary said. “I don’t think people understand the consequences when they stop on the shoulder.”

Troopers also regularly investigate instances of cars being hit as drivers try to get back into traffic and fail to accurately judge how fast traffic behind them is approaching.

Stopping along the shoulder also can slow emergency response.

First responders use freeway shoulders to bypass traffic tie-ups to get to crash scenes, Leary said.

Washington joined five other states this year in making it a primary offense for drivers to hold a cell phone to their ear or to send text messages while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. Using a cell phone to summon help, report illegal activity or prevent injury to another person is permitted.

Hands-free devices are fair game except for teenagers. The law bans drivers under 18 from using communication devices at all.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, was passed after lengthy public debate. Concerns about drivers pulling over on the freeway to use a cell phone never came up, according to Eide’s staff.

At least 13 serious injury accidents along state roads were linked to hand-held communication devices in 2008, according to state Department of Transportation data. Using a hands-free device contributed to another four serious injury accidents and one death.

If your car breaks down, troopers will help you get off the freeway safely or get back into traffic as quickly as possible, Leary said. But if you want to hold a cell phone to your ear, you’ll have to exit the freeway and pull over into a parking lot, or wait until you reach your destination.

“Our advice to people is, if you are going to stop to use a cell phone, look for a place to exit, because you are endangering yourself,” Coon said.

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Contributed photo from Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works contractor crews have begun their summer 2016 paving work on 13 miles of roadway, primarily in the Monroe and Stanwood areas. This photo is an example of paving work from a previous summer. A new layer of asphalt is put down over the old.
Snohomish County plans to resurface about 76 miles of roads this summer

EVERETT – As part of its annual road maintenance and preservation program,… Continue reading

City of Everett Engineer Tom Hood, left, and City of Everett Engineer and Project Manager Dan Enrico, right, talks about the current Edgewater Bridge demolition on Friday, May 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How do you get rid of a bridge? Everett engineers can explain.

Workers began dismantling the old Edgewater Bridge on May 2. The process could take one to two months, city engineers said.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County will host two wildfire-preparedness meetings in May

Meetings will allow community members to learn wildfire mitigation strategies and connect with a variety of local and state agencies.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo cameras go live to curb speeding on Speedway

Starting Friday, an automated traffic camera system will cover four blocks of Mukilteo Speedway. A 30-day warning period is in place.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Here’s who filed for the primary election in Snohomish County

Positions with three or more candidates will go to voters Aug. 5 to determine final contenders for the Nov. 4 general election.

The Everett City Council on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett City Council approves apprenticeship ordinance

The new ordinance builds upon state law, requiring many city public works contracts to use at least 15% apprentice labor.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Stanwood in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Stanwood nears completion of deployable floodwall

The new floodwall will provide quick protection to the downtown area during flood conditions.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Steven M. Falk / The Philadelphia Inquirer / Tribune News Service
James Taylor plays Sunday and Monday at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville.
A&E Calendar for May 22

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Members of Washington State patrol salute the casket of slain trooper Chris Gadd during a memorial cremony on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Opening statements begin in trial of man charged in crash of WSP trooper

Deputy prosecutor described to jurors what began as a routine patrol for Christopher Gadd — “until it wasn’t.”

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.