Enforcement to begin Friday on Arizona’s texting while driving ban
Jan 1, 2021, 5:30 AM | Updated: 7:32 pm
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX – Starting Friday, Arizona drivers caught texting, talking on or even holding a cellphone will be fined when enforcement of a distracted driving law goes into effect.
The order covers handling any electronic device while driving. Gov. Doug Ducey signed the hands-free law in April 2019, but enforcement was delayed in favor of a lengthy public education campaign.
The end of the grace period means offenders could be fined between $75 and $149 for a first violation and between $150 and $250 for each ensuing violation.
“This law will allow officers to observe a person holding their phone while driving. You can be pulled over for that. That is enough to be given a citation,” Phoenix Police Sgt. Maggie Cox said to KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.
“We want to start the new year right – let’s reduce those collisions,” Cox said.
Drivers can get their hands on their device if they’ve stopped at a traffic light.
“This is a civil violation and your license cannot be taken away for it,” KTAR News legal analyst Monica Lindstrom said.
About 10,500 drivers in Arizona were involved in distracted-driving crashes in 2019, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
There are some exceptions to enforcing HB 2318, such as making an emergency call, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said.
Tempe, Glendale, Fountain Hills, Phoenix, Surprise and El Mirage all have some form of a mandate against drivers using cellphones or other handheld devices.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.