A law that prohibits texting while driving\nhas gone into effect in Arizona. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The legislation, HB 2318, bans the use of\nhand-held mobile devices while driving a vehicle. It was signed into law by Governor\nDoug Ducey who was joined by members of the Arizona Legislature, law\nenforcement personnel and advocates of safe driving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToo many lives have been lost because of\ntexting and driving,\u201d said Governor Ducey. \u201cToo many families have needlessly\ngrieved the loss of a loved one due to a preventable tragedy. I called on\nlegislators to provide a solution that will save lives \u2014 and I am grateful for\ntheir efforts to do just that. This legislation takes important, clear and\ncommon sense steps to prevent texting and driving. I thank everyone who worked\nto get this legislation across the finish line and especially the Townsend family\nfor their courage and advocacy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salt River Police Officer Clayton Townsend\ndied in the line of duty in January 2019 after being struck by a vehicle driven\nby a distracted driver. Following Officer Townsend\u2019s passing, the Townsend\nfamily joined many other families in becoming strong advocates for a ban on\ntexting while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDistracted driving has to stop,\u201d said Officer\nTownsend\u2019s mother Toni Townsend. \u201cAlthough we feel the pain everyday of losing\nClayton, we hope that this much-needed reform can save the lives of countless\nothers moving forward. I want to express my gratitude to Governor Ducey and to\nmembers of the Arizona Legislature for putting this ban on texting while\ndriving on the books.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n