Ten years ago, the State of Washington enacted laws that created a new traffic infraction for a driver who holds a cell phone to his/her ear while driving, as well as a new traffic infraction for a driver who sends, reads, or writes a text message. Two times over the last decade slight changes were made to the laws, though the changes have mostly affected commercial driver license (CDL) holders. read more

Most of us drivers know that many traffic tickets negatively affect us by increasing what we pay for insurance, and many of us know that insurance costs more when dealing with teen-aged drivers. But what many of us don't know is that a couple traffic tickets--even certain nonmoving violations--can have an even bigger effect on the teenage driver who is under the age of 18. read more

Last month the City of Seattle lowered speed limits on two types of city rights-of-way (unmarked arterials and city streets). read more

"Here's a Traffic Ticket. Please drive more safely next time." These are every driver's least favorite words to hear. Perhaps you were speeding, failed to signal, or were traveling alone in a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane, or perhaps you were doing nothing unusual yet caught the attention of a law enforcement officer. After you've received your traffic ticket and even paid the fine, the real damage to your wallet isn't done. The long-term impact can include employment and driving privilege issues, and for most people a sharp increase in car insurance premiums. Quite often after you have received even just one ticket, you will see an increase in your premiums for several years. But how much will it cost? read more

"Do You Know Why I Pulled You Over"? How you handle this question can mean the difference between simplicity and complexity, or the difference between a momentary detour and a monumental, prolonged detention. Notice that I said "handle" the question - you are under no obligation to answer it. Most drivers cannot read the minds of law enforcement. read more