What in the World is the ‘No Touch’ Law in Arizona?

Are you a lawless rebel? A rulebreaker? A criminal?

Do you regularly break the law when you're out in public?

I think most of us would quickly reply, 'NO!' in answer to that question. The truth is, you might be violating the law without fully realizing it, and that could get you in trouble, in more ways than one. 

What Arizona’s Hands-Free Law Actually Says

If you touch your electronic device while driving, in any way, you're violating Arizona law. Arizona's "hands-free" law, also known as a "no touch" law, prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices while driving.

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That doesn't mean you can hold your phone near your mouth while talking to someone on the device's speaker, which I've seen many people doing.

Holding your phone below your steering wheel, where most people can't see you texting or scrolling social media, is also against the law. I recently began driving a truck, which gives me a higher vantage point, and I've noticed this behavior a lot lately.

The Craziest Thing I've Seen California Drivers Do in Arizona

If I can see it, so can Arizona law enforcement. Touching your cell phone while driving is a primary offense in Arizona. That means you can be pulled over just for handling your cellular device—you don't also have to have a taillight out or failure to yield at a stop sign.

Arizona's Hands-Free Law: What You Can and Can't Do

According to the Arizona Revised Statutes, ARS §28-914 makes the following actions illegal while driving:

• Holding or supporting a phone or electronic device with any part of your body.
• Writing, sending, or reading text messages, emails, or any internet data.
• Watching or recording videos, scrolling through social media, or engaging in any other distracting activity.

You ARE allowed to:

• Use voice commands or hands-free technology, like Bluetooth, earpieces, and dashboard mounts.
• Start or end a call or GPS route with a single touch.
• Use a device in emergencies to call 911 or report a crime.

There are exceptions to this rule:

• Emergency responders on official duty are allowed to use a cellular device without adhering to the above criteria.
• Commercial drivers are allowed to use two-way radios or fleet communication systems.
• Devices embedded in the vehicle that allow communication without using hands, except to activate/deactivate a function, are excluded.

Surprisingly, Arizona Does This More Than Any Other State

Penalties for Violating the Hands-Free Law in Arizona

This law isn't new. It went into effect in January 2021. If you're pulled over for violating any of the hands-free law, it'll cost you.

• For your first violation, you could incur a civil penalty of between $75 and $149.
• Get caught again, and the cost goes up. A second or subsequent violation will result in a civil penalty of between $150 and $250.

Why This Law Matters: Crash Stats and Safety

Last year, ADOT reported that Arizona saw 9,812 distracted driving crashes, and 42 were fatal.

Over the last two years, there has been a 1.74% decrease in fatal crashes, which is a notable improvement. Laws like this help protect all drivers and help keep our loved ones safer on Arizona's roads.

Sources: ARS §28-914 | AZDPS | ADOT | NHTSA