The new cell phone law goes into effect on Thursday, June 10.

As a next step toward the statewide Target Zero goal of no traffic fatalities by 2030, a new cell phone law will go into effect on June 10. Under the new state law, holding a cell phone or texting when driving becomes a primary offense and teen drivers with an intermediate driver license are not allowed to use any electronic device while driving.

State senator Tracey Eide and state representative Reuven Carlyle, sponsors of the legislation in the Senate and the House, were recognized for their leadership, as was the community-led Driven to Distraction taskforce that advocated effectively for the law.

“Studies show that talking on a handheld cell phone while driving is equivalent to driving drunk, and drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be in a crash compared to those who don’t,” Eide said. “It’s time to park the phone and drive the car.”

More information is at www.kingcounty.gov/health.