Friday Real Talk

The New “No-Touch” Driving Law… Are You Ready?

Disclaimer: This is solely my opinion based on my thoughts, my experiences, and information that is publicly available. I encourage everyone to become familiar with the driving laws in their own state because they continue to change.

I have to admit…

When I first heard about the “No-Touch” driving law, I thought it was just another traffic law.

Then I started reading it.

The more I read, the more I realized this is something every driver should know.

Here in Washington State, it is illegal to hold or use a handheld electronic device while driving—even if you’re stopped at a red light. The law also prohibits holding a phone in your hand, watching videos, typing, scrolling, or reading messages while you’re operating a vehicle. If your phone is mounted, you’re generally limited to minimal interaction, such as a single tap or swipe to activate a function. If you need to do more than that, the safest choice is to pull over and park in a safe location. Calling 911 in an emergency is an exception. 

A first offense in Washington can result in a $136 fine, and repeat offenses can carry higher penalties. 

As I continued reading, I was surprised to learn that Washington isn’t alone.

At least 31 states have laws that ban handheld cellphone use while driving.

Those states include:

Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut,

Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois,

Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,

Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire,

New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania,

Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

That tells me distracted driving is becoming a nationwide concern.

I know some people think these laws are too strict.

But then I think about how many times I’ve looked over while driving and seen someone looking down at their phone instead of the road.

That should concern all of us.

No text message is worth someone’s life.

No social media post is worth causing an accident.

No phone call is worth hurting yourself or someone else.

As I get older, I find myself thinking differently about safety.

I don’t need to rush through life.

I just want to arrive safely.

Maybe this law isn’t really about taking away our phones.

Maybe it’s about reminding us that driving deserves our full attention.

If you live outside of Washington, I encourage you to Google your state’s current hands-free or no-touch driving laws, because they continue to change, and the penalties can vary from state to state.

At the end of the day…

The message is simple.

Put the phone down.

Keep your eyes on the road.

Someone is waiting for you to come home.

❤️ Lady Flava

Sending You Positive Vibes From My Tower To Your Heart. 🌻