Distracted driving is a preventable problem, but too many people decide to make the wrong choice. Lawmakers in Arizona have tried to crack down on some of the causes, particularly cell phone use. Crashes involving a driver operating an electrical device make up a large portion of confirmed distracted driving wrecks.
In 2021, the state created a new hands-off law, making it illegal to manually use an electronic device while driving. This covers cell phones, tablets and gaming devices. Drivers caught violating these rules are subject to fines and even jail time if they are repeat offenders. While this law is a good start to reducing distracted driving, there are more issues that leaders can address.
An everyday activity that leads to crashes is eating while driving. Too often, people run late and try to have a quick bite to eat during their commute. It's hard for them to keep their eyes on the road as they try to deal with their meal, increasing the risk of an accident. In fact, the most recent AZDOT fact sheet shows more than 2,500 crashes involved eating or drinking behind the wheel.
There are no current laws to regulate eating while driving, so every driver can use their own judgment about the level of risk. This puts other drivers in danger and opens the distracted driver up to liability if they hurt someone or damage property. Getting a handle on this type of distraction is a step that lawmakers could take to cut back on dangerous driving and make the roads safer.
Driver education is another avenue in the fight against distracted driving. Young people could take classes and simulations showing the dangers of not paying attention while driving. Emphasizing the potential consequences could help a young generation of drivers make better choices from the start.
Keep Asking, "Does Arizona Do Enough To Prevent Distracted Driving?"
