Drivers ignore cell phone law

SEATTLE, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Observers say Washington state drivers have begun ignoring the law banning the use of handheld cell phones while they are behind the wheel.

Sgt. Freddy Williams of the State Patrol told the Seattle Times he has been conducting his own study of cell phone use. He said few other traffic laws are so widely violated, with about one-third of drivers breaking it.

"I've seen people walk out of their house and before they put their car in gear, they're talking on the cell phone," he said.

By November, state troopers had written 746 tickets for illegal cell phone use and handed out 1,345 verbal or written warnings. Seattle police wrote 247 tickets between July and December.

On the other hand, between July and December, more than 127,000 drivers got speeding tickets in Washington.

The law made driving while talking a secondary offense. That means police must usually have some other reason to pull a car over.

"The motoring public has determined that Washington state troopers aren't going to be lurking around every corner just so they can write them cell phone tickets," Williams said.