This week the Washington State Patrol is looking for tailgaters. Drivers following too close to the vehicle in front of them are more likely to get an infraction ticket during this emphasis patrol. The standard ticket penalty is $136.00.  But if the driver causes an accident for following too close, then then penalty will be $187.00. The WSP…

Seattle police officers will soon be wearing body cameras to record all interactions with those they contact while on duty. A dozen officers in the Department’s bicycle squad were the first ones, beginning in late December 2016. Eventually all 850 officers will be wearing them by the end of 2017. When the body camera is…

Drivers who stay in the left lane instead of just using it for passing may soon face a stiffer penalty. Washington State law makers are considering a new bill in this 2017 legislation would raise the ticket fine from $136 to $181.  State law allows drivers to drive in the left lane only if they…

A proposed law is being considered in Washington State that would increase distracted driving ticket penalties. Currently the fine for cell phone use while driving is $124, and it is not reported to your insurance company. The “Text Messaging Law” (RCW 46.61.668) prohibits sending, reading, or writing a text message while driving. The “Cell Phone Law” (RCW 46.61.667) prohibits hand-held wireless…

New 2016 DUI Ignition Interlock Device (IID) laws have recently gone into effect in Washington. Until recently, convicted DUI drivers under a one year Ignition Interlock Device requirement did not have to actually install the required IID in their vehicle until the last four months of their one year IID period. Under the new 2016…

Washington’s “Move Over Law” requires all motorists to change lanes If it’s safe or, if it’s not, to slow down when passing police or any emergency vehicles who have pulled to the side of the roadway and have their emergency lights flashing. Motorists must do this at least 200 feet before and after passing the…

A recent Seattle area study found that having traffic tickets on your driving record significantly increases your auto insurance rates. Especially for younger drivers (16 to 24) . Quote Wizard, an insurance comparison website, commissioned a just released study to obtain a snapshot of Seattle’s car insurance market. The study surveyed 500 Seattle based drivers.…

There is an alternative to serving jail time and paying off fines / financial obligations imposed by King County District Court judges. Instead, convicted persons can do work crew if authorized by the sentencing judge. Work crew is administered through the King County Community Work Program (CWP). Each work crew day consists of working outside…