Arizona Among the Worst States When it Comes to Highway Safety Laws
According to the 12th annual report by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Association, Arizona has only 5 of 15 recommended highway-safety laws.
We know that distracted driving, often from texting, causes thousands of accidents each year, yet Arizona is one of just two states without even a partial ban on texting while driving.
This month, state Sen. Steve Farley, a Democrat from Tucson, introduced a bill to ban texting while driving for the ninth straight year.
Rather than support the bill, the Senate President Andy Biggs, a Republican from Gilbert, assigned the measure to three committees, rather than the typical two. This is a tactical move that diminishes the bill’s chances of advancing.
According to the association, the laws Arizona lacks are:
• Text-messaging restrictions for drivers.
• Primary enforcement for front and back seat belts, which would allow law-enforcement officers to stop motorists for not using seat belts.
• Mandatory helmets for all motorcyclists.
• Six of seven laws that constitute a complete graduated driver’s license program for teen drivers.
These laws benefit drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Arizona lawmakers need to put safety before politics.
