The grace period is over. Don’t pick up the phone, drivers.

Washington state’s distracted driving law went into effect in late July. A six-month grace period has expired and drivers can expect to receive a $136 ticket for a first offense if police, deputies or troopers pull them over for holding their smartphones or other electronic devices for texting; browsing; taking photos; watching videos; reading and sending emails or using other apps.

Those wondering what they can or can’t do with their phones while driving can consult a YouTube video prepared last year by the Washington State Patrol and the state Traffic Commission at tinyurl.com/WSPphonelaw.

But among things drivers should remember:

After the first $136 ticket, drivers stopped for a second offense within the next five years can be fined $234.

The infractions become part of a driver’s record and are available to insurance companies as they set rates.

Drivers can be cited for holding and using their phone while stopped at an intersection or in traffic. Even when stopped for a light, your attention has to be on the road around you, for example, watching for that pedestrian crossing the street with his head down and eyes fixed on his phone.

And while it’s still legal to eat, drink or smoke while driving, those and other distractions that contribute to another driving infraction or accident can result in a citation for “dangerously distracted” driving, a $99 fine.

There are exceptions. Holding the phone while dialing 911 to report an emergency is allowed, as is the use of citizen’s band radio. And drivers can use phones hands-free and are allowed a touch or swipe to answer a call on dash-mounted phones.

Figures from the Traffic Safety Commission show a 32 percent increase in traffic fatalities caused by distracted driving — from 130 deaths in 2014 to 171 in 2015.

Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel. It’s the best assurance you’ll arrive safety at your destination, and that others who share the road with you will be safe too.

— The North Kitsap Herald editorial board consists of Terry Ward, publisher; Donna Etchey, general manager; and Richard Walker, managing editor.