The Nationwide Impact of Washington State’s E-DUI Law

By Scott Glovsky on March 9th, 2018 in Personal Injury

In July of 2017, Washington State passed a law known as the E-DUI, which places a ban on the use of all handheld electronics while driving. While this law was implemented mainly to stop drivers from using their phones while driving, it also places a ban on drivers using any other electronics as well. That includes phones, tablets, laptops, video games, and any other electronic device that is held in the hand. In Washington, drivers are no longer allowed to even touch their phones, even if it is to just switch to a different song or use a GPS app.

Washington’s law is the first to go under the name of E-DUI, but they are not the only state to have such laws. California has similar laws placing a ban on all handheld devices, as do 13 other states, and it is very likely that additional states will be quick to adopt such laws as well.

This is evident in the fact that Washington was the first state to pass new laws on the recreational use of marijuana. While they did not have retail stores for the sale and distribution of it, recreational marijuana became legal in Washington State in 2012. Colorado, the state many think of as being the first, actually did not follow suit until 2014. In 2012, it was still largely unheard of for states to allow the recreational use of marijuana, but now Washington is one of nine states that allows it.

The same trend-following process could—and likely will—happen with Washington State’s E-DUI laws. More and more states are beginning to recognize the likelihood of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from car accidents that involve the use of an electronic device. As these numbers continue to rise and authorities begin to see the need for stricter laws on handheld devices, more states are likely to pass their own ban on drivers using handheld devices.

In the meantime, people around the country could still feel the effects of Washington State’s law, even if they do not have the same law in their own state. This is because Washington State attracts millions of visitors every year, and those visitors will also be subject to following the law while in Washington State. Whether because they do not know about it or because they simply choose not to adhere to it, they will still face the same fine and charges for non-compliance as someone who lives in Washington State.

Washington has been the first state to pass certain laws in the past, and those laws have eventually started to catch on in other states around the country. There is a very real likelihood that in the coming years, other states could also pass laws similar to Washington’s E-DUI laws. Individuals who want to know more about E-DUI laws should consult a skilled personal injury attorney that could answer their questions.