Distracted Drivers to Receive Flyers When Pulled Over

July 1, 2019

Distracted drivers who get pulled over by Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers will be receiving two-sided flyers with information about the state’s distracted driving law that took effect on April 22 of this year.

The flyers break down the hands-free law that took effect earlier this year, says Christopher Nelson, a DPS trooper.

The flyer explains types of distracted driving that are prohibited by law, including:

• Holding a cellphone to answer a phone call
• Sending a text message
• Reading a text message

In essence, holding or supporting a cellphone with any part of your body is prohibited under state law. This means you cannot use a hand-held cellphone while driving, with a few exceptions.

Starting in January 2021, officers will be able to issue fines of between $75 to $149 for a first offense and $150 to $250 for each subsequent violation. However, until then, troopers are only allowed to pull drivers over and issue warnings. Since the law took effect, DPS has given out more than 1,900 warnings.

So far, approximately 7,500 flyers have been printed. These flyers also tell drivers mobile devices are allowed to be used for navigation, to make emergency phone calls or if there is a hands-free option. Otherwise, you cannot use a hand-held mobile device or cellphone unless your vehicle is stopped.

The distracted driving law was spurred in part by the death of a police officer in Salt River back in January. The officer was hit and killed during a traffic stop in Scottsdale by a driver who was using his cellphone.

At the same time the hand-held cellphone ban was enacted, another proposal was enacted outlawing any behavior that is not related to driving when the behavior causes an immediate hazard or prevents drivers from controlling their vehicles.

Injured in a Distracted Driving Accident?

Next to speeding and drunk driving, distracted driving is one of the most common forms of negligence that leads to serious car accidents, including accidents that lead to death.

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a crash caused by distracted driving, our Scottsdale, AZ car accident lawyers are prepared to help you pursue fair compensation.

Schedule your free legal consultation right now or call us at 1-800-706-3000 .