While Arizona still does not have a state-wide ban of cell phones while driving, Yavapai County has become the third county in Arizona to approve an ordinance to ban cell phone use behind the wheel. It will be effective November 3, 2018. Just don’t do it, whatever county you’re in!
Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Adopt New Ordinance to Protect Citizens
On October 3, 2018, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors held the second and final hearing for adoption of Ordinance 2018-2. The ordinance would regulate the use of communication devices and texting while operating a motor vehicle. There were several people in attendance that spoke in support of the measure and only one person speaking in opposition. After several minutes of comments from the public, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve the ordinance.
Yavapai County Board of Supervisor Jack Smith, said, “It was my honor to make the initial motion to adopt this ordinance, which will save lives.” Supervisor Smith went on to state, “Think about what we did here today. I applaud you all for coming out today and know that we will be taking this issue to the State Legislature again this year, and will be having a very thorough discussion about the distracted driving ordinance we passed today.”
Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Craig Brown, who offered the second for the motion said, “This is a culmination of three years of work and is something we have begged the legislation to act on, but in their absence, Yavapai County will take the lead in adopting this critical new ordinance.”
The ordinance states: A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while holding in his or her hand, typing on or otherwise manually operating a portable communications device.
See full ordinance here: http://aq.co.yavapai.az.us/docs/2018/BOS/20181003_696/11582_Distracted%20Driver%20Ordinance%202018-1.pdf