A new Arizona law that went into effect July 1, prohibits the use of cell phones and other hand-held communication devices for permitted drivers. Permitted drivers are those between the ages of 15 and a half and 18 who have a permit or a graduated license for less than six months. The bill, SB 1080, makes the use of a cell phone while driving a secondary moving violation, which prohibits citation without reasonable cause and another violation occurring. The use includes texting, calling or use of any apps on a phone while driving. The exceptions are emergency situations whereas stopping the vehicle is not possible or to use audible turn-by turn navigation.
According to the language in the bill, violation of the ordinance is punishable by a maximum $75 fine for a first offense, and the six-month device use restriction is extended for 30 days. A second violation carries a maximum fine of $100, and the device use restriction is extended for 60 days. Drivers found in violation more than three times could face the suspension of their driver’s license.
“It is hard to enforce,” Winslow Police Chief Dan Brown said, “but it is so dangerous. Texting and driving is almost like DUI, distracted drivers kill as many people every year as DUI.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), texting is a major distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Brown continued, “Not only are they texting but they are checking their social media accounts and other things. Those things can wait. Nothing is that important.”
Brown cited a study by NHTSA explaining the vulnerability of young drivers. The study reads, “During daylight hours, approximately 481,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. Teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.” He added, “Distracted driving at night is even more dangerous because it takes longer for your eyes to adjust after looking at a bright cell phone screen. People need to be alert at all times. Most traffic fatalities happen within a mile of your home, so even with our lower speed limits, distracted driving is distracted driving.”
Brown serves on the Arizona State Chiefs Association and said, “All of the police chiefs on the board would like to see a statewide initiative on banning texting and driving.” However, he does see this law as a start. “I think a start is a start, it’s better than nothing. These drivers (teens) are your most impressionable drivers. They need to learn that they can’t be distracted so I think the fact that we have this bill is still a win. Maybe it’s not an all-out ban, but it is a start. We are hoping, as law enforcement, that this continues beyond just the teen drivers.”
Senate Bill 1080 is the only texting and driving initiative on the books in Arizona. The cities of Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff do enforce their own laws on the issue through city ordinances. Even with the addition of Senate Bill 1080, Arizona remains one of only two states, the other is Montana, that do not have comprehensive texting and driving laws.
“This is a moving violation,” Brown said, “and there are consequences. There are so many options now, texting is just not necessary in our cars anymore.”
