Arizona’s cellphone ban may not deter distracted driving

Arizona is relatively tough on motorists who are distracted by their cellphones while they are driving. In addition to joining the majority of states in outlawing texting and driving, Arizona has a law which generally bans the use of a handheld device, like a cellphone, while operating a vehicle.

However, the data suggest that these laws are not totally effective in preventing distracted driving. For instance, according to one study, 20% of all drivers on the road are operating while distracted for up to 10% of the time. Additionally, 15%, or 15 out of 100, of all drivers are distracted for up to 15% of time they are driving.

Sadly, 12 out of 100 drivers on the road are distracted for between 20% to 30% of the time they are behind the wheel. To give a picture of the length of time this entails, this means that 12% of all drivers are not paying full attention to the road for 12 to 18 minutes per every hour driven.

Of course, it only takes a few seconds of inattentiveness to cause a car accident. Not surprisingly, the numbers show that collisions involving drivers on cellphones continue unabated.

For example, while the number of fatal accidents has declined slightly, the number of non-fatal injury actions involving distracted drivers has held steady and even increased over the last decade. As of 2017, there were well over 40,000 injury accidents attributed at least in part to cellphone use.

Someone who, in violation of Arizona’s laws, causes an accident because they were texting and driving or talking on a handheld cellphone may be held legally accountable for the damages that they cause. Distracted driving is a common cause of car accidents, and injured victims in such situations may have legal options to consider.

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