DUIE

Autonomous vehicles will soon be on the roads. At least, that is the prediction. Some are already being tested. These cars can drive themselves, negotiate traffic, follow a circuitous route to their destination and react to traffic signals and changing road conditions.

The “driver” will have nothing to do. The responsibility of the “driver” may only be to make sure there is gas in the tank or a charge in the battery.

Autonomous vehicles are coming, but they are not ready for widespread use.

The problem is that many drivers think they already have such a vehicle. They are comfortable doing nearly everything behind the wheel but driving.

These drivers threaten others on the roads and highways of Washington state by their inattention to the task at hand. They text, work web pages, take selfies and any number of other ridiculous activities when they should be paying attention to driving.

One would think that driving a motor vehicle would be serious enough to give it one’s full attention.

Unfortunately, this just isn’t the case.

The situation has become serious enough that the state legislature passed a law to stop such activities when behind the wheel. It is intended to stop drivers from driving under the influence of electronics. New fines for driving under the influence of electronics (DUIE) are in place. Such infractions are moving violations and are reportable to insurance companies.

The law just went into effect. Some jurisdictions will allow for a training period and only give warnings. Others have promised to enforce the new law with vigor from the very start.

The new law is intended to solve some of the problems with inattentive driving due to electronic devices. The fines are stiff.

Also included in the law are some secondary infractions that might only be brought into effect in cases of other violations. These are eating, drinking and smoking behind the wheel.

The threat of distracted drivers has long been recognized. If enforced to meet its intention and not carried to the extreme, this law should help make the roads a tad safer. It could also make the message to pay attention behind the wheel a little more persuasive.

It is not too much to ask that drivers drive. And it is not too much to ask those who don’t seem to care about their own safety to at least care about the safety of others.

Until autonomous vehicles are available, drivers must drive and not just play at it. It is the law.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher