Texting while driving is now illegal in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
The ordinance passed the tribe’s legislative council this week. It bans texting while driving on all reservation roadways in the East Valley.
The law was created by the community’s youth council. Member Mikah Carlos added the goal is to make the area safer for everyone.
"Not just members but people that pass through on a daily basis," said Carlos. "We have over 90,000 people driving through the community on a daily basis."
The Salt River Police Department says it will implement a 90-day educational period before issuing tickets. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community joins several Arizona cities that already have a texting and driving ban on the books.
