Petition started against Washington distracted driving law

texting-driving-phone

Thousands of people have decided that a new Washington state law against distracted driving takes enforcement too far.

The News Tribune reports a petition to ban the law had gathered nearly 20,000 signatures just three days after it went into effect.  The law bans the use of handheld devices, including cellphones and tablets while driving.

But it also allows officers to issue additional tickets if the driver is pulled over for using a handheld device.  Those additional $99 tickets can be issued for behaviors such as eating, drinking or grooming while driving.

Many people who signed the petition wrote that they are unwilling to give up eating or drinking while driving.  (AP)