A new bill that proposes banning texting while driving was proposed Wednesday, the fourth distracted driving-related bill filed at the Arizona Legislature in 10 days.
Republican Sen. Kate Brophy McGee is the sponsor of the latest bill, which would prohibit use of wireless communication devices while driving. It would also impose steep fines and possible license suspension.
A handful of Arizona cities have imposed bans on texting while driving, but Brophy McGee said statewide regulation is needed to cut through the patch work of local laws.
“The confusion is that there are any number of different ordinances," she said. "As one individual said, ‘I can drive from my home in Chandler here to the capitol and break the law three times.'"
There is a similar bill in the Arizona House of Representatives that would ban texting behind the wheel and establishes fines up to $10,000 if the driver's actions cause a deadly accident.
Two other bills would strengthen existing penalties for any distracted driving.
