Somerton council divided on driver cellphone ban

SOMERTON — Yuma and San Luis, Ariz., don’t allow drivers to use hand-held cellphones, but that doesn’t mean Somerton is going to impose the same restriction.

Somerton Mayor Jose Yepez found himself facing a divided city council recently as he proposed such a ban, with at least two council members saying they first wanted to see statistics justifying an ordinance against cellphone use.

“It concerns me to see people, especially youths, texting with their phones while driving,” Yepez said. “I have even seen police officers using the phone (while driving), and that’s something that’s very dangerous. (A ban on cellphone use) has been done in the other communities, and I would like to know if it’s something the council would like to do.”

In 2015, San Luis became the first city in Yuma County to adopt an ordinance prohibiting motorists from using hand-held cellphones within city limits, although drivers can operate vehicles while using cellphone attachments or wireless technology that leave their hands free.

Later that year, Yuma passed a cellphone ban making an allowance for drivers to use hands-free devices. Both cities’ ordinances allow drivers to use hand-held phones in cases of emergency.

But Yepez said he believes cellphones cause distractions for drivers even if both hands remain on the wheel.

“With the phone on Bluetooth, you’re talking and one way or another you’re distracted. Your attention is not 100 percent on your driving.”

Council members did not speak out against a ban, but two said they wanted evidence that it’s needed.

“I would first like to see any accident statistics that the police department has,” Councilman Miguel Villalpando said. “If we are going to go that route, we should at least see what our staff says.”

Somerton should not impose a ban, he said, “just because San Luis and Yuma did it.”

Councilman Gerardo Anaya agreed, saying he wanted to see justification for a restriction.

“We have a 25 mph speed limit in the city, and that has worked to prevent accidents,” Anaya said. “The problem that I see is having regulations just to have them.”

Councilman Carlos Gonzalez suggested initially imposing a restriction on cellphone use only in school zones, where, he said, pedestrians could be put at risk by distracted drivers.

The council tabled discussion on a ban until they hear the views of Police Chief Jeffery Cavender and gather other information relating to a restriction.

Yepez said he wants the council to begin to explore the possibility of restricting cellphones by drivers, and said he would at least like to seen a ban on texting while driving.