A year ago today, the state's hands-free law took effect.

Under the law, drivers talking on cell phones must use a hands free device or face a fine if caught. (Another state law prohibits drivers from text messaging while driving down the road.)

It's a secondary violation in Washington, which means troopers have to spot another traffic violation (speeding, busted taillight, expired tabs, etc.) in order to stop a car. If the driver also has on a cell phone next to his ear, he could be fined for violating the hands free law.

From July 1, 2008 through Tuesday, Washington State Patrol troopers contacted 4,939 drivers who were driving with a cellphone to their ear, the agency reported. Of those, 1,659 drivers received the $124 ticket for violating the hands free law.

The other 3,280 drivers received a warning and were instructed to obey the state law.

UPDATE: Here's some more stats from the Washington State Patrol ...

Troopers contacted 577 drivers for texting while driving. Of those, 221 received tickets and 356 were issued warnings.

It appears the number of collisions where "driver operating handheld telecommunication device" was a contributing factor has dropped.

In 2008, the State Patrol noted 827 collisions where "driver operating handheld telecommunication device" was a contributing factor. That's down from 1,118 in 2007 and 1,246 in 2006.

But just because some drivers are hands free doesn't mean they are crash free.

In 2008, there were 71 crashes where "driver operating hands-free wireless telecommunication device" was listed as a contributing factor. That's about the same as 2007 (when 72 such crashes were logged) and up from 2006, when there were 62 crashes where "driver operating handheld telecommunication device" was a contributing factor.

"The message here is talking on a cell phone contributes to collisions," the State Patrol reports. "Even though the law states you can use a hand-free device it is still distracting to talk on a cell phone. When you are driving, you should be driving. Talking on a cell phone or any other internal or external distraction slows down your perception and reaction time which can make the difference between avoiding a collision or being involved in a collision."

A woman was killed and five men were critically injured in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 90 early today, the Washington State Patrol reported.

The eastbound lanes of the highway were closed for three hours as troopers investigated the deadly collision. The roadway is back open this morning.

The State Patrol received reports of a silver Volvo car going westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-90 near mile post 47 about 2:40 a.m. Troopers headed to the scene but before they got there, the Volvo hit a Toyota pickup truck head on near the Tinkham Road exit, the agency reported.

The woman driving the Volvo, a 39-year-old Seattle resident, was killed at the scene. The five men inside the pickup were injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment of life-threatening injuries, troopers reported.

Investigators were looking into whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.

State troopers and officers who specialize in inspecting commercial vehicles participated in a three-day, nationwide emphasis last week.

The "Road Check 2009" occurred June 2-4 and was sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance as a way to raise truck safety awareness.

The Washington State Patrol's Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers, Commercial Vehicle Division troopers and patrol troopers participated in the event. They had 43 scale stations open.

The statewide results were:

* 1,748 vehicles inspected.

* 431 vehicles placed out of service.

* 41 drivers placed out of service.

* 2,721 violations issued (or 1.5 violations per inspection).

* 43 record of duty status violations (29 hours of service and 14 false record of duty status).

* Two drivers found to be suspected of operating under the influence of alcohol.

* Nine driver's license violations (three suspended, one license withdrawn and five improper endorsements).

* 20 Seatbelt violations.

* 798 CVSA inspection decals were issued to vehicles passing the inspection process.

WSDOT photo.

A crash is blocking the two right lanes and backing up traffic on southbound Interstate 5 in Federal Way.

The Washington State Patrol, fire and aid crews are on the scene of the crash, near 348th Street. It is unknown how many cars are involved and the extent of the injuries.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: All lanes are open. Traffic was backed up four miles at one point.

The Washington State Patrol's King County office reports success over the three-day, Memorial Day weekend.

Troopers say there were no serious injury or fatality crashes on King County highways.

The agency put 15 extra troopers on the road over the weekend. They looked for suspected drunken drivers and speeders, according to a press release.

The troopers arrested 66 suspected impaired drivers and responded to 78 crashes. Of those, 19 involved an injury.

As part of the emphasis, nine troopers worked 3.5 hours Saturday morning, concentrating on southbound Interstate 5 in Federal Way. The emphasis lasted from 6:30 to 10 a.m. and resulted in 107 speed contacts, two drunken driving arrests, six drug arrests and the recovery of one stolen car.

"To not have a serious injury or fatality collision during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year is outstanding," State Patrol Capt. Steve Burns stated in the press release.

Pierce County had one fatality and Thurston County had one. A 33-year-old man was killed early Sunday when his Jeep left the road and overturned in Parkland.

UPDATED INFO: Over the three-day weekend, troopers arrested 17 suspected drunken drivers in Pierce County and eight in Thurston County, trooper Brandy Kessler reported. There were two drug-related arrests - one in each county.

Here's the press release from the State Patrol with the statewide picture:

This Memorial Day weekend the WSP reported four traffic fatalities and two non-traffic fatalities statewide. This figure is up from 2008 when there were three traffic fatalities.

The Patrol also arrested 320 drivers for DUI; which is down from the 345 arrested last year.

There were no motorcycle fatalities during the Memorial Day weekend.

"Any loss of life from a traffic fatality is tragic," said WSP Assistant Chief Les Young. "What makes it so tragic is these are easily preventable."

Washington State Patrol had additional troopers on duty throughout the state focused on aggressive driving, speed, seatbelt, and DUI enforcement.

Traffic Fatalities:
• May 22, 2009 – Linda Harden, age 56, Upper Nile Road, Yakima
County
• May 24, 2009 – Anthony McDonald, age 33, State Route 7 near
State Route 512, Pierce County
• May 24, 2009 – Jueventino Arredondo, age 45, Emerald Road, Yakima
County
• May 24, 2009 – Natalie McLaughlin, age 22, State Route 12,
Thurston County

NON-TRAFFIC FATALITY
• May 22, 2009 – (no name released by Lewis County SO) Carr Road,
Randall, Lewis County
• May 25, 2009 – Robert Baer, age 67, Liberty Market on State Route
20, Island County

A 21-year-old Tacoma woman was seriously injured Sunday night when her motorcycle missed a curve on Highway 512 and crashed, the Washington State Patrol reported.

She was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma for treatment. Her motorcycle was totaled, troopers reported.

The crash occurred just before 7:30 p.m. The woman was riding the motorcycle west on Highway 512 just outside of Tacoma.

The motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve in the highway, left the road and struck the cable barrier, troopers reported. The motorcycle came to rest underneath the barrier. About 60 feet of the cable was damaged.

The crash appeared to be caused by inexperience, troopers noted.

A serious-injury motorcycle collision is blocking part of westbound Highway 512 near Pioneer Avenue.

The left lane is blocked, traffic is using the right line, according to the state Department of Transportation. Drivers can expect delays.

The Washington State Patrol and fire crews are on the scene. No details regarding the injuries or how many people are involved have been released.

UPDATE 9:07 p.m.: All lanes are now open.

The Washington State Patrol will be pursuing vehicular assault charges after speed and alcohol were suspected in a crash early Sunday injured two.

The agency reports a Jeep Cherokee and Chevy Camaro were going north on Highway 7 about 3:15 a.m. The Cherokee left the roadway to the right, striking a rock wall. The vehicle rolled onto its top.

The Camaro struck the Jeep, causing it to spin.

The 19-year-old Tacoma man driving the Jeep was injured and treated at the scene. Paramedics transported his 17-year-old passenger to Tacoma General Hospital for treatment of his injuries, troopers reported.

The Camaro's driver - a 20-year-old Puyallup man - was not injured.

The crash was under investigation.

The Washington State Patrol has released information about a man who jumped from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge last week.

The Tacoma man was spotted just after 7 a.m. Friday sitting on the railing of westbound Highway 16 on the bridge.

He was later found in the water by the crew of the Tacoma police boat.

DOT photo.

A two-vehicle collision has blocked two lanes of northbound Interstate 5 near Bridgeport Way, causing a long delay.

The Washington State Patrol said a two-vehicle collision, which happened at about 3:15 Saturday afternoon, has blocked the two left lanes of northbound I-5. There were minor injuries. State Department of Transportation cameras show crews removing what appears to be a RV and a SUV.

UPDATE: 5:20 p.m.: All lanes of northbound I-5 are now open. At its peak, traffic was backed up 11 miles to Nisqually in Thurston County.

A man was killed Tuesday afternoon when his pickup was struck by a Fort Lewis Stryker vehicle on highway 507 near Spanaway.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Brandy Kessler said two Strykers were stopped at the intersection of 8th Street and highway 507. The first turned onto the highway, and as the second was entering the roadway, it collided with the passenger side of a red Ford F-250 at about 4:40 p.m.

The man who was driving the truck died. No information about him is available, and investigators don't yet know if the truck had a passenger. Troopers are investigating. All lanes of highway 507 are closed.

"We don't know why, we don't know who is at fault. That's still under investigation," Kessler said.

"Good Samaritans" stopped at the scene of a crash near Purdy and rolled a car off of its pinned driver, according to the Washington State Patrol.

A Gig Harbor woman was driving west on highway 302 when her car left the roadway off of the right shoulder and rolled onto a beach at about 1 p.m. Tuesday. It landed on its side, pinning the 46-year-old driver under her 1998 BMW 318.

The Washington State Patrol said passersby came to the scene and rolled the vehicle off the driver. She was taken to Tacoma General Hospital.