Arizona Distracted Driving Law
There are many ways individuals become distracted while driving. Cell phones are not a new development, but they are playing a stronger role in distracted driving. Many individuals are guilty of messing with their phones to talk, text, or play music while driving a vehicle. Other forms of distracted driving include conversations with passengers, eating, playing music, or helping children. Any form of distracted driving is incredibly dangerous and can contribute to a serious life-threatening automobile accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration collected data and found that 9 percent of total fatal crashes involve some type of distracted driving. Distracted driving laws are taken very seriously throughout the United States.
Distracted Driving Laws
New laws are constantly being formulated to prevent individuals from participating in distracted driving. Anything that distracts you while driving can wait or if it needs immediate attention, then you should pull over to take care of it. In the state of Arizona, a law was passed in April of 2019 that states that the use of handheld cell phones while driving is illegal. An individual cannot talk or text on a handheld cell phone in Arizona. The law is effective immediately but due to other laws, it can’t be fully enforced until January 2021. Once it is fully enforced, the fines for using a cellphone without a hands-free device will range between $75-$149.
Distracted Driving Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the new cellphone law that was just recently enforced. Some of the exceptions for the cell phone use law in Arizona include the following:
- Built-in vehicle interfaces that allow hands-free talking system.
- Using a device with headphones that don’t involve pressing buttons.
- Using a GPS in hands-free mode.
- Using a cellphone in an emergency situation to call for help.
- Using a smartwatch voice communication feature.
- Listening to texts from a hands-free voice system.
- Parked vehicles are allowed to use their cellphones without a hands-free system.
Utilizing cellphones while driving is incredibly distracting and could put a lot of people in harm’s way. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 9 people are killed every day in the United States in accidents that involve distracted driving. Since distracted driving has become a huge problem, the state of Arizona is taking its new cell phone laws very seriously. Arizona is the 18th state to ban using handheld phones while driving. The law enforcement throughout Arizona will be on the lookout for individuals who don’t follow the new cell phone laws.
Finding An Arizona Automobile Accident Attorney
If you or someone you know has sustained injuries due to a distracted driving incident, do not wait to seek legal advice from an automobile accident attorney in Arizona. An auto accident attorney at ELG will research all aspects of your accident to determine the best legal claim to file on your behalf. Our team of knowledgeable Phoenix attorneys will keep you informed every step of the way and make sure they fight for the maximum amount of compensation. We are here to help fight for the justice you deserve. Call us today at either Phoenix or Mesa Arizona law offices at (623) 877-3600 for a consultation.
