BRIEFLY

Hands free cell phone rule kicks in

As of July 1, all drivers must have a hands free device for their cell phones or face a $124 fine.

“When you’re driving you need to be driving,” WSP Chief John R. Batiste said in a press release. “We’d prefer that drivers didn’t talk on their cell phones at all. But if you must, please stay safe by using a headset or speaker-phone.”

The law is only for drivers, not passengers.

Not using a hands free device is a secondary violation, so the driver can not be pulled over for that act alone. However if Law enforcement see the driver doing something else wrong first, like weaving across traffic.

The hands free requirement was passed in 2007 in a legislative act sponsored by State Sen. Tracey J. Eide, D-Federal Way as the sponsor.

Law enforcement does have discretion as to whether they should issue a citation or a warning, Washington State Patrol warns that there is no grace period planned.

Skyline grad

makes Dean’s List

Jessup Meng, a 2006 Skyline High School graduate, has been named to the Dean’s List for spring 2008 at Northeastern University in Boston.

Meng, whose family lives in Sammamish, plans to work as an intern this fall at the United Nations in New York City.