[Jeff Higgins]

Washington's new law just went into effect wherein the use of any hand-held device while driving carries penalties similar to a DUI. Even at that, I don't think it goes far enough. It needs to be a custody offense, with the vehicle impounded and the device held as evidence until the trial date.

As an avid motorcyclist, I have simply never seen a greater hazard than someone driving while playing with their cell phone. The list of riding buddies and acquaintances who have been hit by cell phone distracted drivers continues to grow at way too fast of a rate. Anyone who tries to claim this is no more of a problem than any other distractions we have had in the past is in denial, and probably a horrible offender. This is not only the single worst distraction ever introduced to motoring, worse yet, it's in addition to those already in place. It has to stop. I would say "before someone gets killed", but it's already way, way too late for that.