OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The new cell phone law is now in effect in Washington, allowing officers to stop drivers they see with a cell phone to their ear or texting.
Drivers who don't use a handsfree device can get a $124 ticket. And the state patrol says there's no warning period because it's already been a "secondary" offense for years.
There are exceptions for people with hearing aids, making a 911 call or setting a cell phone to speaker and holding it in front of the mouth.
It's also OK for truckers, bus and taxi drivers and emergency responders to use their radios to talk.
The new cell phone law is tougher for teens because the "handsfree" option doesn't apply to drivers on learning permits and limited licenses
