DPS To Utilize Speed Laws To Crackdown On Texting While Driving

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 9:35am
Updated: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 1:19pm
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The Department of Public Safety said it is planning a crackdown on texting while driving, beginning after the first of the year. DPS plans to use the state’s current speed law, which requires drivers to drive at “reasonable and prudent” speeds.

AAA Arizona, which has been attempting to persuade state lawmakers to ban texting behind the wheel, is applauding the effort. Spokeswoman Stephanie Dembowski said texting is the worst distraction there is for drivers.

“It requires you to take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel and your mind off the task at hand,” Dembowski said. “So, it’s really fully distracting you in every way possible.”

Dembowski notes that a big part of the problem is people’s willingness to condemn texting while driving, at the same time they are using their own smartphones behind the wheel.