Capturing Chaos: Filming Accidents and Washington State Law

Have you ever picked up your phone while driving to film an accident or something going on around you?

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Washington State Patrol Warns People Filming Driving by Accidents

Almost everyone has had the urge to film something while driving, and honestly, most people probably grab their phones and give in to that urge. Not only is that illegal, but you can get a large fine if caught in the act by police even once. The Washington State Patrol has been seeing a large number of people filming the scenes of accidents as they drive by and want to remind people that it is dangerous and against the law. In almost every case, if you are using your phone to text, talk, or take video/photos with your hands while driving it is illegal and falls under RCW 46.61.672. If written up by a police officer, you face a $250 fine for the first offense alone. Any more infractions and the penalty is double according to RCW 46.63.110. You might have noticed earlier I said "in almost every case", and that is because there are a few exceptions.

Exceptions for Driving and Using Your Phone

If you look at the Washington State Law, subsection one talks about the different scenarios where certain people would be exempt from RCW 46.61.672. The first example would be a driver of a vehicle that is trying to contact emergency services for whatever reason. That is allowed under subsection one among a few other different situations. The law also describes exemptions for an "individual employed as a commercial motor vehicle driver who uses a personal electronic device within the scope of such individual's employment" including police, emergency vehicles, and transit employees. In basically all other situations, it is illegal in Washington State to use your hands to control an electronic device while driving, even to film a bad accident for your Instagram page.