State bill for ‘hands-free’ mandate has bipartisan support and competition

PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers, law enforcement and the family of a fallen police officer are pushing a bill to mandate “hands-free” technology behind the wheel, meaning Arizonans could not hold devices like cellphones while driving.

Legislators on both sides of the political aisle have tried legislation like this before.

State Sen. Kate Brophy McGee (R-Phoenix) is sponsoring SB 1165 which, if passed, would make the use of a phone while driving a primary offense, meaning police would not need another reason to pull over a driver.

McGee stood with Democratic colleagues and police to prevent this driving distraction.

“We have the momentum. It’s time, and we need to do this,” she said.

Heartbreaking testimony from the Townsend family regarding the distracted driving and how it affects the families forever. #SB1165 pic.twitter.com/wW75BRKbyA

— AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) January 24, 2019

Oro Valley Police Chief Daniel Sharp explained how the law would be enforced.

“We’re not saying somebody’s texting, or they’re making a phone call, or answering an email,” Sharp said.

“We’re saying if it’s in your hand, that’s the violation.”

Pete Johnson wants no more deaths from distracted driving — his son-in-law, Salt River Police Officer Clayton Townsend, died when a distracted driver struck him during a traffic stop.

“Driving is the main, primary task,” he said. “This is the time. Enough is enough.”

But McGee’s bill has some competition in the Arizona Senate.

State Sen. J.D. Mesnard (R-Chandler) is pushing SB 1141, which targets all distractions like eating food and putting on makeup while driving, without a handheld device ban.

Mesnard’s bill would also punish distracted driving as a primary offense.

McGee said her bill pinpoints a big problem right now.

“There’s no such thing as a simple bill in the Arizona Legislature,” she said. “This issue has always had controversy around it.”

Supporters of both bills say they’ll help law enforcement to better spot, and ticket, violators.

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