Pima County Sheriff’s Department
MEDIA RELEASE Mark D. Nap ier , Sheriff
Pima County Hands Free Ordinance Effective June 1st May 17, 2017 Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous activities people participate in while behind the wheel. In 2014, 3,179 people were killed and 431,000 were injured in motor vehicle collisions involving distracted drivers. One of the ways to combat this is to have legal consequences for the use of an electronic device while driving. The Pima County Board of Supervisors recently voted in a new ordinance which prohibits the use of an electronic device while driving in Pima County. The ordinance will go into effect on June 1, 2017. According to this ordinance (10.34.020): A person may not use a handheld electronic device while operating a motor vehicle on a street or highway unless that device is specifically designed or configured to allow hands-free use and is used in that manner. It is a civil traffic offense to violate this ordinance. There will be a sixty day grace period for enforcement efforts. During this grace period, drivers will receive a written warning if they are found to be in violation of this ordinance. Use of a two-way radio will not be a violation of this ordinance. It is our goal to make roads in Pima County a safer place to travel. Remember, don’t drive distracted…just drive.
For further information contact the Public Information Office at (520) 237-3740 or
[email protected].
Pima County Sheriff’s Department 1750 E. Benson Highway Tucson, Arizona 85714 Phone: (520) 351-4600 Twitter: @pimasheriff
Fax: (520) 351-8595 www.pimasheriff.org