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I am anchor
Texting while driving ban up for vote in Arizona House
Posted
By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
PHOENIX — Arizona is on the verge of no longer being just one of three states without a comprehensive ban on texting while driving.
House Speaker Rusty Bowers said Wednesday morning he will allow a Senate-passed measure banning not just texting but also any hand-held use of electronic devices like cell phone. He scheduled a vote for Thursday.
The move followed an hour-long closed caucus of House Republicans where many of them are opposed to HB 2318. Issues range from having the state tell motorists what's best for them to questions of whether the simple fact of using a cell phone should subject someone to a fine if there is no evidence it is affecting their driving.
But Mr. Bowers effectively acknowledged that many, if not most, of the 29 House Democrats favor the measure. And that is likely to provide the necessary margin for final approval even if a majority of the 31 Republicans are opposed.
More than two dozen cities and counties already have adopted their own version of a texting ban. If approved, however, a new state law would preempt and replace anything more comprehensive.
That is significant as the legislation would allow people to text and make phone calls while a vehicle is stopped at a red light or railroad crossing. Many of the local laws have no such exception.
The deal struck among Republicans requires that two competing measures also get a vote.
One is similar to HB 2318 but with a twist: Police could not stop someone solely for use of a cell phone and could ticket motorists only if they are pulled over for some other reason.
A second is a broader ban on "distracted driving.''
It provides penalties for those who are doing things other than controlling their vehicle. But citations could be issued but only if there is some evidence those activities are affecting their ability to operate the car or truck safely.
All three could end up passing. But it would be HB 2318 with its comprehensive ban that would be the one that would end up being enforced against cell phone users.
Gov. Doug Ducey already has said he would sign both a texting ban like HB 2318 as well as a prohibition on distracted driving.
