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In 2007 Phoenix, Arizona became one of the first cities to ban text messaging while driving. Other cities around Arizona are considering their options on either banning cell phones completely or instituting hands-free legislation.
In 2008 and 2009 there were many bills introduced, relating to distracted driving, text-messaging and cell phone while driving.
Distracted Driving - Arizona House Bill 2734 (Tobin)
Cell Phone Use While Driving - Arizona House Bill 2414 (Garcia)
Cellular Telephones - Arizona House Bill 2398 and 2397 (Farley)
Text Messaging - Arizona House Bill 2396 (Farley)
Cellular Telephone Use While Driving - Arizona House Bill 2191 (Farley)
None of these bills made it through however.
Mirroring legislation across the United States, Arizona is likely to have this legislation resurrected and potentially be brought forward to the voters. The issue will continue to be debated from both sides throughout the course of the legislative process. If a new bill does make it the voters, one indicator of how the vote might swing is that approximately 87% of Arizona drivers had favored the statewide ban on text messaging.
Recently there has been some high profile deaths due to inattentive drivers using text-messaging devices and cell-phones and hopefully Arizona will have a chance to let the voters decide decide in the election of 2008.
We will post updates as they become available.
Other Arizona Information on This Website
Arizona Teen Driving Laws and Insurance Requirements
Arizona DUI Laws |
