Vice chair of the WA Senate Transportation Committee caught breaking multiple laws for driving during online committee hearing

A Washington state Senator, who is also vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, was caught on driving while participating in a live, online committee hearing in violation of state law.

Rebecca Saldaña, a progressive Democrat who represents the 37th Legislative District, was seen violating multiple traffic laws while participating in the online committee hearing.

Senator Saldaña was obviously behind the wheel of her car while she answered a question from a fellow senator during Tuesday’s hearing on the Forward Washington package, an $18 billion, 16-year transportation plan. Her digital background of the state Capitol fooled no one and she even admitted to driving while answering a question. "As we are moving into clean fuels, alternative fuels … it’s a cost, it’s a burden. I’m driving my old vehicle right now."

Being on a live video call while driving violates the state’s distracted driving law. Saldana also had both of her headphones in, which is a violation of a different state law. The Washington State Legislature passed the distracted-driving law in 2017, after testimony by families of people killed in vehicle crashes.

Saldaña said she meant to disable the video and only use audio functions but was seen repeatedly looking down at the camera while driving. The standard fine for a first offense is $136.

Senator Saldaña released a statement in response to the trasngression. "As a working mom, I face the same struggles many parents in Washington are facing, including trying to make my work schedule fit with my duties as a parent. Unfortunately I made a choice today that was not in compliance with the law and for that I apologize.

I agree we all need to become better drivers, and that includes myself. Placed in a difficult position today, I made the wrong choice in not disabling the automatic video function on my phone while driving and complying with my duties as vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. I sincerely regret having made this choice, and I do not condone distracted driving or the violation of our state’s traffic laws for any reason.

I have supported legislation about penalties for distracted driving, and like all drivers in Washington state, I must be subject and accountable to that law and all traffic laws.  Accordingly, if I receive a citation for this driving infraction, I will pay the fine."

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, about 9.4 percent of drivers use a cellphone in violation of the law at any given time. 393 deaths between 2017 and 2019 were attributed by the commission to distracted driving.