by Zayed Al-Sayyed

Car accident attorneyJune 11, 20220 comments

Is Arizona A Hands-Free State?

The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to a staggering 1.6 million crashes each year. Because of this, many states have adopted a “hands-free” cell phone policy. Not sure what that is? Don’t worry, our legal team is here to answer that question and more.

A hands-free cell phone policy makes it illegal to use a cell phone while driving (unless, of course, it is in a hands-free mode). While this law is fairly common around the country, it is up to each state to decide whether or not they want to adopt it. So, is Arizona a hands-free state? Let’s get into it.

What Is the Distracted Driving Law in Arizona?

In April 2020, Arizona passed a new distracted driving law that prohibits motorists from using handheld devices, like cell phones, while driving. This law was enforced beginning on January 1, 2022. Since then, thousands of drivers have been issued citations for texting or talking on their cell phones while driving.

But does this law entirely illegalize cell phone use while driving? Not completely. Stay tuned to learn what exactly this law means for Arizona drivers.

What Does This Mean For Arizona Drivers?

Are you a driver wondering how the Arizona hands-free law will affect you? Our skilled car accident attorneys can break it down for you. Under Arizona’s distracted driving law, drivers are prohibited from the following:

• Holding a cellphone (including holding it between your cheek and shoulder)
• Reading, writing, or sending texts, emails, or any other text-based communication
• Watching or recording any kind of video

Of course, many people rely on their cell phones for directional assistance and emergencies. For that reason, the law does not entirely eliminate the use of cell phones. As we mentioned, there are a few exceptions:

• Accepting or making a call by briefly swiping your screen
• Using an earpiece, headpiece, or wrist device to talk on the phone
• Using voice commands
• Using your phone as a GPS
• Using your hand-held cell phone while stopped at a red light
• Calling 9-1-1 via cell phone

Dangers of Distracted Driving in Arizona

The unnecessary use of a cell phone while driving is incredibly dangerous. Because cell phone use impairs a driver’s ability to focus, they can become distracted and miss traffic signals, pedestrians, slowing traffic, and other driving hazards. Oftentimes, distracted drivers are the cause of wrongful accident deaths and personal injuries that require compensation.

Top-Rated Car Accident Attorneys in Phoenix, AZ

So, is Arizona a hands-free state? We hope that this blog post helped to clear things up for you. As much as we wish decreased cell phone use would decrease the number of car accidents in Arizona, we realize that some personal injuries are inevitable.

If you or a loved one is suffering a personal injury that resulted from someone else’s negligence, then our team at The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed can help. Through our aggressive compassionate representation, we are devoted to ensuring that you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with an expert.