It’s time for state to OK texting ban

Hodgepodge of ordinances across Arizona is confusing for drivers

In 47 states, it’s illegal to text and drive — but in Arizona, it depends on where you are, and whether or not the individual municipality has enacted a specific ordinance to ban the practice.

In Yuma? It’s illegal. That long stretch of Interstate 8 between Yuma and Gila Bend, however? Perfectly legal. Tempe, Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson? All illegal. However, according to Capitol Media Services, that may be about to change.

Senate Bill 1261 was approved by the Senate Committee on Transportation and Technology this week, and would ban texting while driving. The bill would create a fine of no more than $99 for a first offense, and $200 for repeat violations. Should the driver be involved in a mishap causing death or serious injury, the penalty would be a misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of four months in jail and a $4,000 fine. On one hand, bills such as these are nanny laws — efforts to protect people from themselves when common sense should suffice. After all, texting while driving is dangerous.

On the other hand, these bills can save lives, because the driver isn’t only endangering himself, he’s also endangering others on the road with his distracted driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 25 percent of driving fatalities are caused by distracted driving.

Setting aside safety concerns for a moment, the current city-by-city mishmash of laws is confusing for both residents and visitors. Cities are banning the practice, but they aren’t necessarily posting signs notifying folks when they hit the city limits, so drivers have to do their research, by community, to figure out where they can text and drive, and where they can’t.

The time has come for Arizona to enact a law that applies for the state as a whole.

What do you think, readers? Let us know. Share your thoughts online at www.YumaSun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com

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I want to say thank you to the employees of the city of Yuma, especially to the Public Works Dept., the ones who work on the sidewalks, curbs and streets. The two ladies who answer the phones in the office at the Public Works Dept., Kim and Darla, do an outstanding job taking complaints and other calls. I know because when I see or my wife sees a sidewalk that needs repairing, my wife calls me and I call the city. They put up with a lot of things from the public, and I do know what I’m talking about. I have worked for three different cities and put up with a lot of unruly people. So they do a great job and they go above and beyond and thank you, Kim and Darla.

Now the ones who work on the sidewalks and curbs, they also do a great job trying to keep up with repairs also on the streets and other things to keep the city running. I want to say thank you to David, who is in charge of working on those sidewalks and other things.

And to everyone who works the street department to all other jobs in the city of Yuma, a great big thank you to you all.