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State of Washington Driving Fines

By
Real Estate Agent with Chris Balmes Properties

New driving fines for the State of Washington . These fines went
into effect on November 1st, 2007

* HOV Lane - 1st time offense $1068.50 (note: the sign posted on
the HOV lanes that says $271 is now wrong and DOT is in the
process of changing them)
-2nd offense fine is doubled
-3rd it is tripled
-4th your license is suspended for a year! (they are not playing around!)

* Incorrect Lane Change - $380.00 (not using turn signal or 'cut ting' someone)

* Block Intersection - $485.00

* Driving on Shoulder - $450.00

* Cell Phone Usage While Driving - $285.00 (cell phone usage (until January 1, 2008, you can use a hand held cell phone while driving, but if a police officer observes a driving infra ction, he can stop you and cite you for both.  After January 1, they can stop you for cell phone usage w/o any other cause.)
must now be done with 'hands free' device.)
Law Enforcement has been told to really start cracking down on this, as the accident rate is increasing due to cell phone use.

* Cell Phone Usage in a Construction Zone - $570.00 (this fine is doubled from the regular $285.00)

* Passengers over the age of 18 not in a seat belt - Both the passenger AND driver with get tickets of $101.00

* DUI - Instant ARREST! (the court s are now placing DUI's on your driving record for a period of 10 years!)

* Last but not least - You know that there was a th ought that you could go at least 5 MPH over the posted speed limit, well according to the WA. State Patrol, you are now allowed 3 MPH over!


So, watch your speed my friends.

Lisa Balmes PC

Chris Balmes Properties

www.chrisbalmesproperties.com

Comments(6)

Jen Hudson
Windermere Real Estate/M2, LLC - Stanwood, WA
Stanwood, Camano & Arlington, WA
Thanks for the update Lisa.  I'll think twice before I go speeding home on my cell phone.  ;)
Dec 11, 2007 07:34 AM
Todd and Danielle Millar
Glenn Simon Inc. - Edmonton, AB
Nineteen years of excellence!
Wow they are serious in your area but it is for a great reason. I think hand held cell phones are ridiculous to use while driving. They will call back there is no need to risk your life or anybody elses.
Dec 11, 2007 09:17 AM
Nathaniel Belo
Skyline Properties, Inc. - Seattle, WA

HOAX!  See Washington State Patrol website:  http://www.wa.gov/wsp/newsfaqs/releases/mr101507.pdf

Frankly, majority of the bad, slow & inattentive drivers that drive like drunks or are indecisive that I experience are usually yapping on a cellphone without a headset.  Hang up & drive or at least make some money to buy a headset or drive a car with a bluetooth hookup to your car's stereo.

Dec 13, 2007 08:54 AM
Lisa Balmes
Chris Balmes Properties - Tualatin, OR
PC, e-Pro
Just because the fine amounts are incorrect, does it mean that the point to slow down and follow traffic laws should be discounted?  NO.  Who cares if I received an email from someone with higher fines.  THAT IS NOT THE POINT!  Look at the BIG picture and don't be argumentative for the sake of arguing people.  Whoever has the time to call the state about my blog needs to find some more constructive things to do with their life.  Ignore MY blog and look at someone else's or stay busy writing in your own blog! 
Dec 18, 2007 04:29 AM
Anonymous
localbuzz

this is NOT true.  please check this link. 

while the LAWS are true and most have been around for awhile. the amounts and increase by infraction are not true.  HOV violation in WA is $124.  The cell phone law is a secondary law which means you can't be stopped just for talking on your cell.  you would have to be stopped for speeding or something and then they could get you for the cell ophone thing also. 

Dec 21, 2007 06:57 AM
#5
Matt Warmack
Urban Abode Group @ Keller Williams Realty - Seattle, WA

HOAX - I would delete this blog post.  I don't think it says positive things about your Real Estate business by keeping it up.

http://www.wsp.wa.gov/newsfaqs/releases/mr101507.pdf

Jan 15, 2008 04:56 AM