We all know that driving while talking with a phone to your ear is illegal in Washington. But, did you know that there are exceptions to this rule?
- The law doesn't apply to authorized emergency vehicles. RCW 46.61.667 states that a person operating a motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to his or her ear is guilty of a traffic infraction. However, the law doesn't apply to authorized emergency vehicles or tow trucks responding to disabled vehicles. Don't be alarmed if you see a police man chatting away with his phone to his ear.
- You can talk on your phone if it's in hands-free mode. RCW 46.61.667 does not apply to a person using a communications device in hands-free mode. Set your phone to speaker mode and you're good to go.
- The law doesn't apply to you in certain emergency situations. RCW 46.61.667 states that the law does not apply to people who are using their phones to:
- Report illegal activity
- Summon medical or other emergency help
- Prevent injury to a person or property
- Relay information that is time sensitive between a transit or for-hire operator and that operator's dispatcher, in which the device is permanently affixed to a vehicle
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