Flagstaff banned texting while driving — and cycling — Tuesday night.
The ban will go into effect in 30 days and follows a similar law passed by Coconino County in April. That law didn’t just ban texting, but also talking on a hand-held device while driving.
Flagstaff city officials thought that was too restrictive. So, they opted out, and eventually crafted a proposal for their own texting-while-driving ban.
City spokeswoman Kimberly Ott explained that it applies to all vehicles — and bicycles — in motion.
"If you are stopped, say, at a railroad crossing or at a stoplight, you will be allowed to use, you know, text or do something, email, an instant message," Ott said, "but once your car goes back into motion, you need to stop that activity."
Ott added that the ban was based on similar laws in Phoenix and Tucson. Flagstaff would have voted on a ban sooner, she said, but officials were expecting Arizona to issue a state-wide law. It remains one of a handful of states that hasn’t.
