New year could bring statewide texting-driving ban

There’s another push to ban texting while driving in Arizona.

State Sen.-elect Steve Farley, D-Tucson, first introduced legislation in 2007. Since then, more than 40 states have enacted bans and Farley thinks this year might be Arizona’s time.

“As part of the new federal transportation bill, we now will become eligible for $11 million in federal money if we enact a texting ban this year,” he said.

The money, Farley said, must go to promote safety, which can include covering the pay for Department of Public Safety patrol officers.

“I have no illusion that just a law alone will make all the difference,” he said. “Because what you need to have is the law, you need to have education and you need to have enforcement, but the law is the key to it.”

Some Arizona communities, such as Phoenix and Tucson, already ban texting while driving within their city limits.