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Washington Bans Cell Phone Usage While Driving (Sort of)

(From the hang-up-and-drive department)

Starting July 1, drivers can be ticketed by the police for driving with a cell phone up to their ear. (I would tell you specifically what law this is, but none of the three different media outlets I checked bothered to publish this.)

Interestingly, drivers can only be cited for using their cell phone if they have done something else wrong at the same time. Also, the phone must be at the ear - speakerphone or hands-free devices are fine.

So, what do you think? Is this a worthwhile protection, or is the government wrongly stripping us of our God-given right to gab?

In 2006, then-editor Steve Smith of The Spokesman-Review had the idea of starting a publication for an often forgotten audience: teenagers. The Vox Box was a continuation of the Vox, an all-student staffed newspaper published by The Spokesman-Review. High school student journalists who staffed the Vox made all content decisions as they learn about the trade of journalism. This blog's mission was to give students an opportunity to publish their voices. The Vox Box and the Vox wrapped up in June 2009, but you can follow former staffers' new blog at http://voxxiez.blogspot.com.