Cell Phone Usage Prohibited for Teen Drivers in Arizona

Arizona has recently joined the other 48 states regarding placing limitations and prevention of cell phone use while behind the wheel. Today, the only state that has no type of law in place that prohibits calls or texting while driving is the state of Montana.

The new law in the state of Arizona is not quite as restrictive as many of the other state laws; however, it does present a number of important implications for drivers and visitors in Arizona. This law specifically applies to teen drivers. It can also impact legal situations that involve accidents which are the result of teens who use their phones while driving and leads to an accident.

Here, you can learn more about the new teen driver law regarding cell phones in Arizona and how it affects you and your teenager.

The Basics of the New Cell Phone Law in Arizona

This is a law that applies specifically to any new driver that is between the ages of 15.5 and 18. It was put in place to prohibit the use of a cell phone while the individual is driving – except in a “specific emergency situation,” or in order to listen to the “audible turn-by-turn navigation,” or another map app.

Similar to the previously set up laws for various teen drives, the new law makes these drivers subject to what is referred to as “secondary enforcement.” What this means is that a teen cannot be pulled over or even cited just for being seen using a phone while they are behind the wheel. What the law actually means is that the teen will have to be pulled over for some other type of violation before the police officer can issue a citation for the use of their phone. Also, if a teen does not receive a citation for the use of a cell phone, driving at night or for having extra passengers in the vehicle for a period of six months, then they are no longer affected by the law.

In regard to other laws that are currently in place, this one is not very restrictive. However, it does carry a few penalties for any violation, which include:

• For a first violation the individual can face a fine of up to $75 and a 30-day extension of the six-month period
• For a second violation, the individual will face a fine up to $100 and a 60-day extension of the six-month period.
• For three or more violations, the individual can face a fine of up to $100 and a 30-day license suspension.

Why is the Law Targeted to Teens?

There have been several attempts made by Arizona lawmakers to introduce laws that are more stringent for the use of a cell phone while driving. To date, these have not been successful. However, the law for teens received a higher level of support.

If you consider the statistics related to vehicle accidents that involve teens, it is no surprise that this new law has been enacted. According to a recent study from AAA, drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 have the highest level of crashes than any other driver in the U.S.

What to Do if a Distracted Teen Hits Your Vehicle

If you are involved in an accident with a distracted teen driver, then the best thing you can do is contact an attorney. They can help ensure that the needed evidence is gathered to prove your case and help you recover compensation for the injuries and damages you incurred. In the long run, proper legal representation will help in these situations. To find out more, contact the offices of Hastings and Hastings at 800-975-0080.