Surprisingly, California Drivers Don’t Seem to Know THIS Arizona Law!

When I'm driving around Arizona these days, I like to play a game.

It's called, "Tell me you're from out-of-state-without-telling-me-you're-from-out-of-state."

 

The game really heats up during snowbird season.

During the winter, it's easy. The person in front of my car on the highway who's doing 10 miles an hour under the speed limit? When I get up close, it's easy to spot the midwestern license plate. I get it.

Arizona Does This More Than Any Other State!

Learning to drive in snowy, icy conditions in January has made midwesterners abundantly cautious. Rolling your window down while driving in the early part of the year in Arizona, because it's not 20 below, can be mighty confusing when you're used to different winter weather.

Lately, I've amended the game. I now play the driving game, "Tell me you're from California-without-telling-me-you're-from-California."

This one's easy. The car that passed me on the right because I'm only doing the speed limit, instead of going five or ten miles per hour over, then cut me off as they zoomed into my lane without signaling? Yeah. I know who you are.

You're not even making the game challenging anymore. Now all I have to do is spot the person on their cellphone, and the license plate confirms my suspicion.

These 9 Things are Surprisingly Illegal in Arizona

I've seen phone-in-hand-while-scrolling-or-texting. Noticed phone-in-hand-but-talking-on-speaker-close-to-mouth. And my all-time favorite, phone-pressed-to-ear-engaged-in-full-on-conversation. Oh, and you're only going five over the speed imit, so you're slowing down.

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What Happens if You Use Your Cell Phone While Driving in Arizona

A few years ago, a law was passed in Arizona. ARS 28-914 made it illegal to use handheld device while driving unless it’s in hands-free mode.

You are not allowed to hold your cell phone while driving a moving vehicle. That means no texting, scrolling, or holding your phone up to your ear while cruising down the road. The law applies to all portable wireless communication devices and stand-alone electronic devices. So, you can't text your mom, and it's also a "no" to finding Bluey on YouTube on your kid's iPad.

You Can Be Pulled Over JUST for Using a Cell Phone While Driving in Arizona

Arizona isn't messing around anymore. This is now a first offense in Arizona. That means you can be pulled over if a police officer sees your device in your hand while you're moving.

Breaking the law comes with a fine between $75 and $149. If you’re caught again, the fine jumps to $150 to $250. So, it’s definitely not worth the risk, especially considering the dangers of distracted driving.

There are some exceptions. Emergency responders, people reporting crimes, and those using radios or navigation systems are generally in the clear.

Is It Illegal to Use Your Cell Phone While Driving in California?

If you're from California, there's a chance you might not know this is illegal in Arizona.

(Insert that quote about 'ignorance of the law' HERE).

Here's the kicker. Using a device while operating a vehicle is also illegal in California! And it's been against the law longer in the Golden State than here. The law went into effect in 2008! Just click this link and look at the example photo. Is that cell phone a Sidekick??

So please, make the 'where ya from game' harder to play. If I can figure it out, so can the Arizona law enforcement!

Sources: California Car Laws | AZ Leg | AZ DPS