List of Cell Phone related driving restrictions

THIS LIST IS DRAMATICALLY OUT OF DATE; as of April 18, 2019 there are said to be twenty seven local laws(!) on the subject. On that date, the Arizona legislature finally passed a general purpose “handheld ban”.

Although the state of Arizona has no specific restrictions on operating a cell phone while driving, several cities and counties have enacted various restrictions on use of cell phones on drivers:

City or County	Year	Type of restriction	more info
Phoenix	2007	Text Ban	more info
Tucson	2012	Text Ban	more info
Coconino	2014	Text and Talk (handheld) ban	more info
Flagstaff	2014	Text Ban	more info
Tempe	2015	drivers may not “hold” any mobile electronic device “if such driving constitutes a risk to that person or others”.	more info
Pima	2016	Text and Talk (handheld) ban	more info
Oro Valley	2017	Text and Talk (handheld) ban	more info
Clifton	2017	Text and Talk (handheld) ban	more info
Yavapai	2018	handheld ban	news item , Ord 2018-2
Surprise	2018	handheld ban	news item
Glendale	2019	handheld ban.	news item
.	.	.	.

(google docs table)

School bus drivers

School bus drivers in Arizona are prohibited altogether from using cell phones and related device when operating the bus, via an Arizona Administrative Code:

AAC R13-13-104(D)(28) Except as provided in subsection (D)(27), a school bus driver shall not use audio headsets, earphones, earplugs, Bluetooth devices, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, or other interactive wireless devices, whether or not hands-free, when the school bus is in operation.

Interstate Truck and Bus Drivers

Additionally, The US Department of Transportation issued a final rule in 2011 banning the use of hand-held cell phones by interstate truck and bus drivers while the vehicles are in operation.

Statewide Legislation, 53rd 1st Regular Session

The following bills have been introduced in the Spring 2017 (53rd 1st Regular) Session, courtesy of Look! Save a Life / Arizona:

***Sponsored Bills Prohibiting Texting/Driving & Protecting Vulnerable Road Users***

Sponsor: Senator Karen Fann
SB 1080 – teenage drivers; communication devices prohibited
https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/68707…
Bans cell phone use while driving for novice drivers in the first six months of their license. This is the only bill on the topic being pushed by AAA.
Easily passed Senate. Being held as of mid-April in House by Rules committee chairman Lovas, see comment below for update.

I’m concerned that this is worse than nothing. In effect, it says to new teen drivers (and everyone else!) that once they turn 16-1/2, driving while texting is A-OK. I can just imagine snapchat-while-driving parties to celebrate a 16-1/2 birthday, much like what happens with drinking on a 21st birthday. In this form, I would have to be opposed. Can only work in tandem with a statewide ban like 1087 or 1135 in place simultaneously.

Sponsor: Senator John Kavanagh

SB 1049 – text messaging while driving; prohibition
https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/68522…
A statewide texting ban, but does not ban reading facebook, snapchat, texts, emails, or anything else on your smartphone while driving. Also does not ban inputting visual messages. Would not have stopped Officer Huffman from being killed. Reading is as dangerous as writing in studies. This needs to be amended to ban reading as well.

Sponsor: Senator Steve Farley
SB 1135- Handheld communications devices; driving; prohibition
https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/68884…
Statewide hands-free only law, like the law recently enacted in Oro Valley, AZ; current law in 18 states.

Sponsor: Senator Steve Farley
SB 1086 – Sentencing; aggravating factor; texting
https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/68719…
Just like if you use a gun in the commission of a crime, you get more jail time, this allows judges to add jail time for the use of a cellphone while driving in the injury or death caused by a vehicle crash.

Sponsor: Senator Steve Farley
SB 1087 – Wireless communication device; driving; prohibition
https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/68720…
Statewide ban on the use of a handheld device to read or write a written or visual message while driving.

Sponsor: Senator Steve Farley
SB 1088 – Vehicles; collisions; injury; texting; penalty
https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/68721…
Allows judges to suspend a driver license if the driver has killed or injured someone while using a cellphone and driving.

Sponsor: Senator Steve Farley
SB 1085 – Vulnerable users of public ways
https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/68718…
Protects bicyclists, pedestrians, construction workers, first responders, and disabled people who are adjacent to or using a roadway from vehicular assault in a number of ways; establishes that throwing objects at vulnerable users or forcing them off the road are crimes.
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Here is the link to both the House (60 Members) and the Senate (30 Members). It lists each elected officials email prefix and then add “@azleg.gov” but it shows everyone in each Chamber for the 2017 Legislative Session.

New list for the Senate:
http://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster/?body=S
New list for the House:
http://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster/?body=H

How to find your district:
http://azredistricting.org/districtlocator/

Are YOU the new face of bicycling in Arizona?

Are YOU the new face of bicycling in Arizona? Do you have a vision of the future of bicycling in our state and would like to share talents and contribute ideas on making it a reality? Just want to get involved?

The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists is seeking interested bicyclists for Board of Directors and Officer positions to be filled at our annual meeting. Directors are elected by the membership bi-annually, elections will be held at our upcoming Annual Membership Meeting. Nominees do NOT need to be present at the meeting to be elected.

Directors’ duties include regularly attending a Director’s meeting . Since directors can (and should!) reside all around Arizona, meetings are routinely held via via tele-conference.

Please contact us at cazbike@cazbike.org with a brief bio/background; or with the nomination of someone you think would be a good candidate. As always we are looking for volunteers in any capacity, not just directorial; please drop us a line, or better yet attend the annual membership meeting, being held this year on TBD (details forthcoming).

Are you interested in improving conditions for bicyclists in Arizona? The CAzB is actively seeking Board and Officer candidates especially with any of the following experience:

Grant writing for non-profit entities, preferably bicycling-related.
Donor fund-raising, preferably bicycling and/or community-oriented.
Membership development campaigns.
Bicycling event planning, organizing and management for paid events >200 bicyclists.

Can’t commit to a leadership role? The Coalition is always seeking individuals that can contribute in any way.

—

The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists; providing education and advocacy to Arizona’s bicyclists.

Coalition of Arizona Bicyclist’s Annual member’s meeting 10/18/2016

There is a plan to hold an in-person meeting sometime in the Spring 2017 as we transition our corporate year for Arizona Corporation Commission purposes.

Below are the minutes of the meeting (approved at the 3/21/2017 Board of Directors meeting):

2016 Annual Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, October 18, 2016 Attendees: Bob Beane, Bob Jenson, Wayne Churchman, Ed Beighe, Peter Mather, Gail Hildebrant, Sharon Newman Matt, Lloyd Thomas, Jeff Kafleck, Radar Matt

Called to order at 1837

Treasures Report Gail Hildebrant Checking Account $725.15 Savings Account $515.53 High Yield Account $32,872.55 Total 34,113.23 Report was accepted. Spread sheet shows that regular spending is typically under $2,000/yr. Most of that is for the storage locker & the monthly conference bridge.

Overview of what we are working on: State level: GOHS, ADOT, More input into the drivers license testing. Improve PSA/bikes Power point that was created for GPD. Sierra Vista PD has made contact.

Maricopa County: E bike – California has law classifying an E bike as a motorcycle. Tempe is in the process of drafting its own city laws. We need to get ahead of this, so we don’t end up with a lot of city or county ordinances.

Pecos Freeway: PARC & GRIC are still trying to block it. Sit is still unclear if cyclist will have access to the shoulder. Next meeting is 10/20/16 at the State capitol.

Regional priorities: Tucson- Yuma- Tempe-Lloyd Thomas-Traffic counts support the traffic calming on McClintock. Metro Phoenix-Bob Jenson- Light rail is extending to Dunlap for Metro Center access. No increase in bike facilities on the light rail. City is looking into putting bike lanes on several E-W major streets. Next meeting 10/20 at College of America

Bike Summit: still questionable Fri 3/31 or Sat. 4/1 Wayne Churchman to get back to us next week, on whether Perimeter would split the cost of the rooms. We need to take a survey of what last year attendees would care for.

Elections: CAzB is now at 8 Board Members with the resignation of Ben Dodge.

3 Serious/Fatal crashes in Phoenix on Friday

On Friday 9/23/2016 in Phoenix, two bicyclists were killed, and a third was seriously injured injured in three separate incidents. Police have so far not released many details.

[24th St and 202, 36th Ave and Van Buren, the serious injury was at 16th St and Southern]

We lost two bicycle riders in Phoenix, yesterday, and a third is in the hospital with serious injuries. Three separate crashes. We will follow all three to try to insure that appropriate citations, if any, are issued and to (as always) see what we can learn from each crash that we can use to prevent similar tragedies in the future. That’s part of what we do. — Bob Beane, President, Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists

Such a string of events attracts a demand for breaking news coverage, below is a brief interview, and below that the news piece that appeared in The Arizona Republic on Saturday…

what are things bikes can do to be safer on the roads?
(1) Be visible and predictable (bright clothing, lights, etc. in low light; signal movements, etc.),
(2) Ride with traffic. It is NOT safe to ride facing traffic and it is against the law in AZ.
(3) Always be aware and don’t assume that drivers will see you and/or do “the right thing”…in other words, ride your bike with confidence but defensively.
what are things motorists can do to avoid endangering bicyclists?
(1) Make safe driving your #1, #2 and #3 priority…no texting, no phone calls, no Internet searches…put the phone down while driving,
(2) Be on the lookout for Vulnerable Roadway Users including bicyclists, pedestrians, road workers and law enforcement/emergency personnel,
(3) Remember that it only takes a few seconds to save or end a life, depending on your attitude and level of care.
why do you think many incidents involving bicyclists and cars go unreported to police?
Actually, over 800 have been reported so far this year in AZ. Thankfully, only a small percentage of those have been serious or fatal. My guess is that some incidents involving little or no injury are agreed between the parties as not necessary to report.
what specific reform do you think Arizona needs to help reduce bicyclist and motorist fatalities?
Several: (1) More and better education of both motorists and bicyclists as to safe “co-existence” on the road, including re-testing of drivers every five or ten years as laws change and required testing within 90 days for drivers moving in-state,
(2) Comprehensive texting, Internet and hand-held phone use ban with penalties comparable to DUI…in other words, we need to return to the concept that safe driving is priority one and various distractions that result in injury and death need to have significant consequences.

Separate traffic collisions in Phoenix kill 2 bicyclists, seriously injure another

SAUNDRA WILSON sewilson@arizonarepublic.com

THE REPUBLIC | AZCENTRAL.COM

Three separate collisions occurred between bicyclists and motor vehicles in Phoenix on Friday, leaving two bike riders dead and one more in the hospital with serious injuries.

One of the cyclists was killed Fridaymorning around 6 a. near 24th Street and Loop 202. Five hours later, a second cyclist died after colliding with a truck around 11 a.m.

Phoenix police reported a third bicycle- car collision near 16th Street and East Southern Avenue at about 11:30 a.m. The cyclist, an adult man, suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital, police said.

The collisions prompted temporary lane closures to allow police to investigate on Van Buren Street from 37th to 39th avenues, and on Southern Avenue between 16th and 18th streets.

According to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 29 Arizona bicyclists died in motor vehicle collisions in 2015. Fifteen of the incidents were in Maricopa County, the data show.

Countless more bicyclists have been seriously injured, a number that remains elusive because only an estimated 10 percent of bicycle crashes causing serious injuries are reported to police, data from pedbikeinfo.org revealed. [This isn’t quite the case, longer explanation and details here]

The average age of bicyclists killed in traffic collisions is 43, a NHTSA report said. An overwhelming percent of bicyclists killed are men and nearly half of the fatalities occur between 4 p.m. and midnight, according to the report.

Bob Beane, the president of the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists, believes Arizona needs “more and better education of both motorists and bicyclists as to safe ‘co-existence’ on the road.”

“We need to return to the concept that safe driving is priority one and various distractions that result in injury and death need to have significant consequences,” Beane said in an email.

In order to be safer on the roads, Beane said bicyclists should wear bright clothing and ride bikes with lights to be more visible to motorists.

“Ride your bike with confidence but defensively,” Beane said, emphasizing that bike riders should not assume drivers see them.

Beane said motorists can contribute to bicyclist safety by remembering that “it only takes a few seconds to save or end a life, depending on your attitude and level of care.”

Republic reporter Megan Janetsky contributed to this article.

CAzB seeks Board Members

Are you interested in improving conditions for bicyclists in Arizona? The CAzB is actively seeking Board and Officer candidates especially with any of the following experience:

Grant writing for non-profit entities, preferably bicycling-related.
Donor fund-raising, preferably bicycling and/or community-oriented.
Membership development campaigns.
Bicycling event planning, organizing and management for paid events >200 bicyclists.

Can’t commit to a leadership role? The Coalition is always seeking individuals that can contribute in any way.

Lobbying

The Coalition is an exempt organization recognized by the IRS as a public charity under 501(c)3 since 2002. Our primary public purpose is bicyclist traffic safety education.

501(c)3 charities are “absolutely” prohibited from endorsing any candidate for elective public office.

Influencing legislation (“lobbying”) is, however, permitted so long as it does not amount to a “substantial part of its activities”. The Coalition does, from time to time, participate in influencing legislation, however it does not amount to a substantial part of our activities. Note that lobbying does not include activities involving “executive, judicial, or administrative bodies” (examples include ADOT, MAG, PAG, etc).

Below is reference material from the IRS:

The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.

Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner …more

Lobbying
In general, no organization may qualify for section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.

Legislation includes action by Congress, any state legislature, any local council, or similar governing body, with respect to acts, bills, resolutions, or similar items (such as legislative confirmation of appointive office), or by the public in referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. It does not include actions by executive, judicial, or administrative bodies.

An organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation if it contacts, or urges the public to contact, members or employees of a legislative body for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or opposing legislation, or if the organization advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation.

Organizations may, however, involve themselves in issues of public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, organizations may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

Beane: ADOT needs to broaden its concept of transportation

Commentary by Coalition President Bob Beane, regarding the South Mountain Freeway (the last remaining unbuilt portion of Loop 202), set to begin construction later this year…

Beane: ADOT needs to broaden its concept of transportation

Posted: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 4:56 pm
Commentary by Bob Beane Special to AFN (Ahwatukee Foothill News)

Roughly six years ago, a locally based Federal Highway Administration official assured me (verbally, of course) that ADOT would be required to accommodate the bicycling community (transportation-oriented and recreational/fitness) if/when the 202 “Pecos” freeway was built going around South Mountain to the west. The “accommodation” requested was/is a road or pathway to connect to 51st Avenue from the western edge of the Ahwatukee Foothills.

Initially, ADOT was gathering related input from bicyclists. But, somewhere along the way, the ”accommodation” seems to have evaporated. Possibly, it coincided with the inability to achieve an alignment that didn’t require costly blasting through two ridges at the west end of South Mountain. So, within a $1.75 billion project with four freeway lanes in each direction (really?), cost savings need to come from NOT providing for any means for bicyclists, pedestrians or any other non-vehicular mode users to be able to cover roughly four miles (or less) between the western edge of the Ahwatukee Foothills and 51st Avenue.

As it stands today, no accommodation is planned that I know of or can discern from publicly released plans. There are no connecting frontage roads, and there are no plans for a bike path in the right of way (as have been built in places such as Colorado or Utah).
However, a concerned group of bicycling advocates and some community leaders from Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe are seeking to at least get ADOT to design in enough space within the right of way to allow a bike path to be constructed. I can’t speak for everyone in the group, but the consensus seems to be that having this connectivity in place would be an equitable and extremely positive non-vehicular transportation connection and recreational amenity that would enhance the neighboring communities.
Setting aside the issue of whether this freeway project is truly needed, it seems to many that ADOT still stands for “Arizona Department of Trucks (and Cars)” and that ADOT remains miles away from being a true transportation department that has a broader vision of its role and potential in contributing a multi-modal environment to the communities in which it operates. ADOT leadership, to date, seems to lack any vision of contributing to the overall health and community environment in a way that other DOTs have embraced for years.
A fraction of a fraction of the cost of this massive project could not only allocate space within the design, but fund a bike path for at least four miles, or so. But, that’s, sadly, not in the plans…yet. As I mentioned, there is a significant constituency that is asking for ADOT to incorporate non-vehicular connectivity into the 202 freeway plans. We are hopeful that ADOT can take a significant community-oriented step forward by approaching this request with a “how can we help make this happen” attitude, rather than the perceived car-centric, liability and cost-based blinders that seem to have guided past decision-making.
Ahwatukee resident Bob Beane is president of the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists.

PDF of print edition: BeaneAFN_Guest_Commentary

More about the South Mountain Freeway

Official ADOT homepage for SMF. The South Mountain Freeway is the last piece to complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system. The freeway is a part of the Regional Transportation Plan funding passed by Maricopa County voters in 2004 by Proposition 400, a 0.5% sales tax, proceeds of which predominantly fund freeway construction.

Arizona Legislation 2016

Arizona’s 52nd Legislature – 2nd Regular Session is now in full swing. Below is a brief guide to following legislation in Arizona… For the nuts-and-bolts of how a bill becomes law, the multiple “readings”, and the COW, and so forth, see e.g. this document from azleague.org Continue reading Arizona Legislation 2016

Arizona Bicycling Summit 2016 Announced

visit www.cazbike.org/summit for all summit information

Curious about Bike Patrol?

by Roseann Wagner
Having participated in bike patrol, I decided to talk to Walt Paciorek, an instructor of the program. Good events require a lot of time and organization led by dedicated people. Here is a way you can give back to a sport that has perhaps given you a great deal of fun.

The information is Walt’s take on the program. The pictures are mine.

The mission of Perimeter Bicycling’s Bike Patrol Program is to provide assistance, encouragement, and support for the participants of Perimeter events. Patrollers offer mechanical assistance, first aid as needed and encouragement to successfully finish the ride.

Perimeter Bike Patrol is a group of nearly 300 certified cyclists who bring enthusiasm for cycling and a deep pool of experience to ensure the success of thousands of riders in Perimeter events every year.

There is also an award for outstanding Bike Patrol in each event.
And of course, all Bike Patrol receive a finisher’s medallion.

Who can participate?

The typical bike patroller is a fit, experienced, and enthusiastic cyclist with basic mechanical skills (fix a flat, correct a thrown chain); knows and practices the rules and procedures of safe cycling, and is willing to assist and encourage other cyclists. A basic understanding of first aid is helpful but not required.
Different ride distances are available to accommodate all ages and sizes of riders. You ride at your own pace (preferably with a partner), but plan on many stops to help riders.

How much does it pay?

For a modest processing fee you get to ride a great event, a striking yellow tee-shirt, a cool medallion, excellent sag stops, and a priceless amount of appreciation and satisfaction. While maybe not rock-star status, you will receive many positive strokes from those you help or who have been helped by others in the past.

What do I have to do to qualify?

Register, attend a certification course, show up early to help at the start, and agree to do all you
can to ensure participants will have a safe and fun event. If you are uncertain about your qualifications, you may request to be paired with an experienced Bike Patroller or team. Review the Bike Patrol Manual (available on-line) before you attend the certification class. Classes are normally held several times each fall; and are held in both Phoenix and Tucson.

How long do I have to be at the event?

Be there early to help at the start, complete the ride, check in at the finish, pick up your
medallion, and then you are finished.

Why is patrol necessary?

A surprising number of riders will need your assistance. They appreciate getting back on the road promptly without a long wait for sag assistance. Bike Patrollers are the eyes and ears of the tour, ready to report or correct problems and assist with mechanical, medical, and motivational emergencies in real time.

Do I have to provide tubes and tire-changing tools?

You will be advised about what tools are useful at the certification class. You may receive a tube or two at packet pickup. Most riders will have their own tubes. A few will not. I always carry a few patched road bike tubes for those who need them and a glue-less (Park is the best) patch kit for odd-sized wheels.

What are other duties of bike patrol?

Assistance, encouragement, and support are paramount. Call in or text every time you stop to provide assistance, or at least at every sag stop. If you observe riders behaving badly or breaking event rules, ask them to mend their ways. If they do not cooperate, report their rider numbers and the circumstances via text, call, or at the next sag stop. There will be consequences.

What do I do if I encounter a crash?

Secure safety for any victims and, if serious, call 911. Provide any first aid that you comfortably can. Stay until help arrives or you are certain a rider can continue. Report the incident via text or call. Complete a report form for all but simple events handled on-site. There can be an events that will be challenging. Some examples I have encountered are hypothermia, hyponatremia, diabetic incidents, heat distress, and severe cramps. These are mid-level events that can be treated on-site if caught early, but can also require professional medical attention. You will make the call – treat, call for support/pickup, or call 911.

What should I do to be prepared?

Be sure your own bike is in good shape before the ride. Bring a fully-charged cell phone.
Between the Bike Patrol Manual and the certification class, you will be prepared. Ride with a partner for fun, efficiency in carrying out duties, and assistance when needed.
If you are interested in being a part of bike patrol, visit perimeterbicycling.com/bike-patrol to learn more and sign up.