Business wins environmental award

The Kenmore-based business Glacier Northwest Inc. was among four companies that recently earned top environmental compliance awards for meeting or exceeding King County’s water quality permit regulations in 2007.

This Commitment-to-Compliance Award honors businesses that have protected public health and the environment by discharging wastewater every month for five years with no violations of any kind.

Since 1969, the Industrial Waste Program has required many industries to pre-treat wastewater before discharging it into the sewer. The program also helps businesses meet regulations by educating them about pollution prevention, waste reduction and water reuse. For information, visit http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/indwaste/Awards.htm

‘Hang up and drive’ becomes law

The Washington State Patrol began enforcing a new law requiring drivers talking on cell phones to use a headset or speaker-phone July 1. Infractions could result in a $124 fine.

The law applies only to drivers, not passengers. There is an exemption for drivers calling 9-1-1 to report a highway emergency. CB radios or other communications devices that are not held up to the ear are also exempt.

Failure to use a headset or speaker phone is considered a secondary violation, which means troopers can not stop a motorist for that alone.

The state legislature passed the hands-free requirement in 2007.

Statistics on cell-phone involvement in collisions have been difficult to gather. They require a driver who’s been in a collision to admit they were on the phone, something the State Patrol considers unlikely.

Nearly 210,000 drivers were involved in collisions in 2006. Only about 1,300 admitted talking on a phone at the time.