Teens: No Cellphones While Driving in Arizona?

By The Husband and Wife Law Team on February 25, 2013

An Arizona bill is one step closer to preventing teenage drivers from using their cellphone while operating a motor vehicle. The bill was approved 3-1 by the Senate Committee on Public Safety on February 13, 2013 and will work to prevent teens from talking or texting on the phone while driving unless they need it for an emergency. The law would restrict them from using their phone while they have a learner’s permit and for the first six months after they get a driver’s license. Police would be able to pull anyone over for another traffic offense, and then they would write them a ticket for the cellphone violation as well.

Arizona Car Accidents: Cellphone Statistics

There were a total of 103,423 crashes in the state of Arizona in 2011, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Of these, 754 were fatal and 33,030 resulted in injuries. Teens between the ages of 15 and 19 accounted for 65 deaths and 5,387 injuries. Electronic communications devices, such as cellphones, caused 143 crashes in the state, resulting in 48 injury crashes.

What Can Parents Tell Their Teens?

Parents can help their teens begin obeying this law now, before it is even approved. Teens who are just learning to drive do not need the added distraction of talking on the phone, so parents can remind them that keeping their phone in the backseat is a good idea. This will reduce their ability to grab it and talk on it. If they need it for an emergency, they can put it in a place where it is easily accessible when they come to a stop. Parents must stress the dangers of driving while distracted. A safe driver is one who keeps both hands on the steering wheel, eyes on the road and pays attention to other drivers.

If you or your teen is the victim of a car accident, call us today for a free, no obligation quote. We work hard for our teen drivers as well as all victims of car crashes.