Arizona is one of two states that currently do not have a distracted driving law banning texting while driving in effect. There is an Arizona statewide ban that school bus drivers cannot text while driving, Coconino County has outright banned texting while driving, and the city of Tempe will cite people for erratic driving if caught texting and driving. However no Arizona statewide ban for texting while driving currently exists.
House Bill 2241 was recently proposed to ban the use of mobile phones by teen drivers within six months of having acquiring a license or while using a learner’s permit on a statewide level across Arizona. The exceptions would be if the driver was 18 years of age or older or if there was an emergency situation that required the use of a mobile phone to contact help or the authorities.
This bill is currently being reviewed by the Arizona Transportation and Infrastructure committee. A decision as to whether it will take effect or fail to pass is expected to be made sometime this year.
The National Safety Council reports drivers are four times more likely to be in a vehicle accident while texting and driving than if their eyes were firmly fixed on the road, and roughly one in three drivers admits to “regularly” or “fairly often” using or checking their mobile phones while operating a vehicle. While the personal injury law firm of Goldberg & Osborne actively seeks a statewide ban on texting and driving in Arizona, we also support House Bill 2241 as a step in the right direction to help save young lives that are most vulnerable to the distraction of cell phones while operating a car, truck, motorcycle, or any type of vehicle driven on the road.
Goldberg & Osborne supports distracted driving awareness through the Goldberg & Osborne Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship that encourages drivers young and old to “pledge” not to text and drive. One person who pledges will be randomly awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a college or institution of higher education for each period the scholarship is open.
Goldberg & Osborne calls upon Arizona citizens and those residing in other states to share the dangers of distracted driving on social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter with friends and family. We understand the attraction of wanting to grab the phone when it dings or rings; however, safety should always come first to avoid a serious accident that could have been easily avoided.
Media Inquiries:
Goldberg & Osborne
Michelle Alessio
Phone: (602) 808-6200
Email: marketing@1800theeagle.com
Website: https://1800theeagle.com