Washington drivers now have to put down their cell phones and other electronic devices under a new law that went into effect Sunday.
The law prohibits drivers from holding phones, tablets, and other gadgets while behind the wheel, including in traffic and stopped at a light. Previous law only prohibited texting or holding a phone to the ear. The “minimal use of a finger” to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of a personal electronic device while driving – such as GPS – is still allowed.
A variety of other new laws also are now in effect in Washington state. Among them, prosecutors are able to file felony charges if a person gets a fourth DUI within 10 years. Courts are now allowed to issue permanent protection orders for victims of sexual assault. Previously, victims of sexual assault can only be granted a protection order for up to two years, which means they must reappear in court to re-petition for a new order. In cases where a permanent order isn’t issued, the courts will grant a renewal of the order unless perpetrators can prove they are no longer a threat to the victim.
Sunday also saw the creation of a new crime of theft involving a vulnerable adult, defined as any person 18 years or older who is clearly mentally or physically unable to care for himself or herself or suffers from a cognitive impairment.
Lawmakers also expanded education programs for inmates, and made it illegal for a person to leave a dog tethered for a reckless period of time without providing him or her with adequate access to food, water and shelter. (AP)
