Arizona’s New Texting Ban Could Capture Impaired Drivers

by Aaron M. Black • January 22, 2021

Arizona Texting While Driving BanWith the New Year, Arizona’s texting ban while driving law graduated from a warning to fines. And law enforcement can use violations as a pretext for a traffic stop and a DUI field sobriety test anywhere within the state.
Any unusual movement while texting, such as straddling a lane line, weaving, or making a wide turn, can be a tip off. And with the pandemic reducing travel along with DUI arrests, texting may capture more suspected impaired drivers. Lately, I have seen cases of drivers who are charged with a DUI even if their blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) is less than the baseline of 0.08 percent.

So now, with Arizona joining the ranks of states prohibiting texting while driving, those who are stopped and ticketed are fined between $75 and $149 for a first texting offense, and from $150 to $250 for subsequent violations under the amended Arizona House Bill 2318. Fines are civil penalties.

Anti-texting laws previously adopted by a number of Arizona cities are no longer valid now that the state law has superseded city ordinances. Notices will be posted on thoroughfares entering Arizona warning that testing while driving is not allowed.

If you are stopped for using an electronic communication device, the citing officer cannot take it from you or inspect it unless otherwise allowed by law.

These are the offenses for texting ban

  • Holding any type of a portable wireless device or cellphone, even pressing your neck to your shoulder, while speaking.
  • Reading, writing, answering, scrolling, or sending a text or email message or some other use of a portable wireless device for communicating that causes the driver to be distracted.
  • Watching or recording videos.
  • The law applies not only to cell phones, but also gaming and music devices.
     

Exceptions to the new texting law

  • It is perfectly fine to talk using a portable wireless communication device with headphones or ear buds, or using a device that is worn on the wrist so hands are free to steer the vehicle.
  • You may use a cell phone with your hands if you are stopped at a traffic light (but that can irritate the drivers behind you and cause a situation.) Stop signs are not included.
  • A motorist calling to report an emergency situation to get help or to report a criminal act.
  • You may also communicate with a GPS system to get directions.
  • Emergency responders are exceptions in emergency scenarios.  

Electronic device exemptions

The texting law does not apply to using these devices: radios, a citizen band radio, commercial two-way radios, emergency communication devices that require a subscription, medical devices that are prescribed, ham radios, a security system installed in the vehicle or a navigation systems.

If an electronic communication device has a feature to send a “do not disturb while driving” notice to callers, be sure to use it so you will not be tempted to answer the call while driving.

How the texting and driving ban started

Cars and trucks have a lot of weight and losing control of a vehicle can move the driver from a modest civil fine to a felony criminal charge.

An Arizona’s legislature penned the initial texting while driving ban in 2019 shortly after a Salt River police officer was hit and killed during a traffic stop on Loop 101 by a distracted motorist who was charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and endangerment.

The officer had stopped a driver for an expired registration when the distracted driver after sunset crossed three lanes hitting Salt River tribal police Officer Clayton Townsend. The motorist he stopped was seriously injured. The driver was distracted for at least 17 seconds, according to a Department of Public Safety report.

Distraction and texting

The National Safety Council reports that using a cell phone and driving demands a lot of thought; and when those two activities happen simultaneously, the human brain cannot do either activity very well. The result is failing to see traffic signals and a pause in applying the brakes.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports three types of distractions – Visually looking away from the road to look at the smartphone; manually removing one or both hands from the steering wheel; and cognitive, mental distractions diverting attention – and texting while driving employs all three types of distraction.

Drinking, driving and texting

To make things worse, add a level, even a small level, of intoxication. Cell phone users who have even the “slightest” degree of impairment, and that can be less than the baseline, run the risk of being pulled over because of the distraction and they fall into a DUI criminal charge.

If an officer starts questioning you, such as how much have you had to drink, the best thing to do is to not answer. You have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment, which is a protection against convicting yourself. It is also imperative; and your right under that Amendment, to have a defense attorney there during questioning. When exerting these rights, always be respectful to the officer.

If the officer wants you to take a breathalyzer test and you refuse, your license can be suspended for a year.

First time DUI punishments

A DUI is a class 1 misdemeanor, the most serious of the misdemeanor class. The punishment for a first-time conviction is at least one day in jail, fines reaching to $1,250, and having an interlock ignition device that prevents a driver from starting the engine if a breathalyzer detects any amount of alcohol. The court also can order an alcohol screening, a program for alcohol education and treatment program, along with a community service program.

DUI defenses

A number of defenses are available to fight a DUI charge, but one may be lost. The officer needs to have probable cause or a reasonable suspicion to detain you, which the texting ban provides if you are seen texting while driving down the road.

Beyond that, the tests administered can be faulty and other defenses may be available depending upon the facts of the case and every case is unique.

Protect your legal rights

Aaron M. Black law is dedicated to aggressively defending people who are charged with a DUI and other crimes. He is ranked in the top one percent of the finest lawyers in the nation by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and has extensive experience helping people in trouble. Contact him at 480-729-1683 or use the easy contact form. He will respond promptly unless he is in court. He defends cases in justice, municipal, state, and federal courts in and near Maricopa County.

 

About the Author

Aaron Black Phoenix DUI LawyerAaron Black is the founder and sole attorney of the Law Office of Aaron Black. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, his DUI and criminal defense law firm provides legal services to people who have received felony or misdemeanor charges from the state.

Aaron has developed a strong interest in defending people who have been arrested and received criminal charges for driving under the influence. With his professionalism and knowledge of Arizona DUI and criminal law, he has acted as a check and balance on the police, prosecution and courts and has protected a great number of his clients from excessive and unfair sentencing.

Along with DUI defense, Aaron handles a range of other criminal defense matters, including aggravated assault, burglary, domestic violence, drug possession, drug trafficking, fraud defense, insurance fraud, sex crimes, and white-collar crime cases.

After graduating college in 2003 from the University of Arizona, Aaron decided to pursue a law degree. He followed a family long tradition and went to the University of South Dakota School of Law where he pursued his goal of becoming a criminal defense lawyer.

After passing the Arizona and South Dakota bar exams, Aaron joined the Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender where he defended hundreds of people charged with serious criminal offenses. His work as a public defender helped him sharpen his litigation skills and gave him a unique insight into the Arizona criminal justice system.

Over the course of his 15-year legal career, Aaron has spent a considerable amount of time in both Arizona justice, municipal, state and federal courts. He has argued over 50 jury trials, tried over 100 bench trials and has become one of the highest-rated criminal and DUI defense attorneys in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. He has received a 10/10 rating from the legal directory Avvo because of his legal background and successful case record. Since 2014, he has received the Super Lawyer rating for his work as a Phoenix DUI Attorney and criminal defense attorney.

You can review Aaron’s Attorney Bio page for more information about his background, education and experience as a Phoenix DUI and criminal defense attorney.
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