Monthly Archives: July 2010

NASCAR driver helps promote anti-texting campaign

Colin Braun's hood with no texting logo

The Missouri State Highway Patrol launched their campaign calling for drivers to stay off cell phones and PDAs while behind the wheel, and they’ve recruited NASCAR  driver Colin Braun to help promote it.

Braun’s #16 car sported the new anti-texting logo on Saturday at NASCAR’s Nationwide Series race in Madison, Ill at Gateway International Raceway.

Colin Braun's #16 NASCAR car

In Missouri, it is illegal for drivers under 21 to text and drive. Twenty-five percent of crashes each year in the state are caused by inattentive driving.

Braun secured his highest finish of the season on Satruday at Gateway International Raceway. 

Washington state banks nearly $100,000 on new distracted driving law in 28 days

Updated numbers from Washington state’s distracted driving law:

As of July 8, the Washington State Patrol has issued 736 citations for talking and 43 for texting behind the wheel. At $124 per ticket, that means the state has banked nearly $100,000 in 28 days.

The Patrol has issued 504 warnings for talking and 44 for texting since the new law went into effect, even though the Patrol touted a no grace period policy for the act, that has been a secondary offense for two years.

Washington state’s cell phone and driving ban has led to 670 citations between June 10 and July 1

Close to 670 drivers state wide in Washington have been ticketed and fined $124 for talking on handheld phones or texting behind the wheel.

It seems more Washingtonians are talking while driving, or at least it’s easier to catch than those texting. The State Patrol has issued 633 citations for talking and 34 citations for texting while driving.

The Seattle Police Department says they have not tracked the number of citations since the law went into effect.