Tempe Passes Distracted Driving Ordinance Effective October

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(Tempe, Ariz.) – Beginning next month, drivers in Tempe who are operating vehicles erratically because of mobile device use can be cited by Tempe Police. The City Council last night voted 4-3 to approve the ordinance. 

According to the ordinance, drivers who are posing a risk to others because of use of a mobile device will be subject to a $100 fine plus penalty.

Second incidents will result in a $250 fine plus penalty and repeated incidents within a 24-month period will incur a $500 fine plus penalty. 

The issue was worked on by several City Councilmembers over the last few months, including Councilmember Kolby Granville. 

“Arizona is one of only three states without a distracted driving law, and yet, driving while texting is six times more dangerous than driving drunk and the leading cause of death among young drivers,” Granville said. “This should be handled at the state level, but until it is, Tempe is willing to lead the way.”

Exceptions to the ordinance include drivers using mobile electronic devices in hands-free or voice-operated modes, and drivers using a mobile device while parked on the shoulder of a road. 

The ordinance will take effect Oct. 24.