Why Texting and Driving Remains a Serious Risk on Arizona Roads
Texting and driving is a serious problem. We’ve all been there. We’re driving and we hear our cell phone alert telling us we have a new text. We know we shouldn’t check it while we’re driving, but our curiosity is eating at us – we want to know who texted and what they want. So, we quickly check it, taking our eyes off the road for a second.
This is very risky behavior that can result in an accident. Even taking your eyes off the road for a brief moment can put yourself and others on the roadways at risk. If you were to cause an accident, you could be deemed negligent and found to be liable for the person’s injuries.
Learn more about the dangers of texting and driving. No text is worth a car accident!
How Big Is the Texting and Driving Problem?
The problem with texting and driving is that it is so common. We all have phones and most of us keep them near us when we’re driving, making it so tempting to text and drive, even when we know the dangers. This can result in accidents, and even fatalities:
· According to AAA, 12 percent of crashes involve someone on a cell phone.
· The U.S. National Library of Medicine found that the risk of a car crash – or a near-crash – increases by 95 percent when someone is reaching for or dialing a phone.
· According to the NHTSA, 15 percent of injury crashes were the result of distracted driving.
· The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states 1 in 5 people involved in distracted driving fatalities were pedestrians, cyclists, or others outside of a vehicle.
Who’s At Risk
While anyone can text and drive, certain age groups are more prone to participate in this risky behavior than others. According to the NHTSA, those between the ages of 15 and 19 are at the highest risk of texting and driving.
According to a study by the CDC, this can be due to the amount of time this group spends on their phones. They found 39 percent of high school students send texts or emails while driving at least once a month.
The CDC also found that 25 percent of distracted drivers who died in car accidents were between the ages of 20 and 29.
Arizona Cell Phone Laws
Each state’s phone laws vary as to what types of actions you are allowed to perform on your cell phone while driving.
Arizona law prohibits drivers from holding or supporting a cell phone or other stand-alone electronic device while operating a vehicle. This includes texting, scrolling social media, watching videos, or browsing the internet, with limited exceptions for hands-free use and emergencies. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, a "stand-alone electronic device" is a "portable device other than a portable wireless communication device that stores audio or video data files to be retrieved on demand by a user."
Meaning, in addition to phones, this law includes tablets, music, and gaming devices.
How Texting Distracts Drivers
Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it affects more than one aspect of driving at the same time. Unlike some distractions that pull attention in a single way, texting creates multiple layers of distraction that compound each other.
Visual distraction occurs when a driver looks away from the road to read or type a message. Even a brief glance can mean missing changes in traffic, pedestrians entering a crosswalk, or vehicles braking ahead.
Manual distraction happens when one or both hands leave the steering wheel to hold or operate a phone. This reduces a driver’s ability to steer, react, or maintain control, especially in sudden or unexpected situations.
Cognitive distraction refers to the mental focus required to read or compose a message. When attention is directed toward a conversation or screen, less mental capacity is available for driving decisions, hazard recognition, and reaction timing.
When all three distractions occur at once, as they do during texting, a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle is significantly reduced. This is why texting is treated differently than many other in-car distractions under Arizona law.
Why Even a Few Seconds of Distraction Matter
Many drivers underestimate how much can happen during a short moment of inattention. At typical city and highway speeds, a vehicle can travel a significant distance in just a few seconds.
Looking away from the road for five seconds while traveling at highway speed can mean covering the length of a football field without actively watching traffic conditions. During that time, vehicles can slow suddenly, traffic patterns can change, or hazards can appear with little warning.
Even in lower-speed driving, such as navigating intersections, parking lots, or residential streets, brief distractions can prevent drivers from noticing cyclists, pedestrians, or stopped vehicles. Reaction time is critical, and distractions reduce the margin drivers have to avoid collisions.
Texting-related distractions are especially dangerous because they tend to last longer than drivers realize. Reading or responding to a message often takes more time than a quick glance, increasing the window where attention is diverted from the road.
FAQs About Texting and Driving in Arizona
Is texting while driving illegal in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona law prohibits drivers from holding or supporting a mobile device while operating a vehicle. This includes texting, scrolling social media, watching videos, or browsing the internet. Limited exceptions exist for hands-free use and emergencies.
Does Arizona’s hands-free law apply at stoplights or in traffic?
Yes. The law applies whenever a vehicle is in operation, including while stopped at traffic lights or in traffic. Using a phone while stopped is still considered distracted driving under Arizona law.
Can texting and driving affect fault after a car accident?
It can. Evidence that a driver was texting or using a phone illegally may be considered when evaluating fault in an Arizona car accident. Police reports, witness statements, and phone records can all play a role in understanding what caused a crash.
What kinds of crashes are commonly linked to distracted driving?
Texting and driving is frequently associated with rear-end collisions, lane-departure crashes, intersection accidents, and pedestrian or cyclist strikes. Even brief distractions can prevent drivers from reacting in time.
Why is texting more dangerous than other distractions?
Texting combines visual, manual, and cognitive distraction at the same time. This means a driver’s eyes, hands, and attention are all diverted from the road, even if only for a few seconds.
When Distracted Driving Leads to Serious Injuries
Texting and driving continues to cause preventable injuries across Arizona, often leaving individuals and families facing medical care, time away from work, and uncertainty about what comes next. Understanding how distracted driving contributes to crashes can help people recognize when an accident may involve more than a simple mistake.
When injuries are caused by a distracted driver, the details matter. Police reports, witness accounts, and evidence of phone use can all play a role in understanding how a crash occurred and how responsibility is evaluated.
Gallagher & Kennedy has represented injured individuals throughout Arizona for decades, including those harmed in distracted driving crashes. If you or a family member was seriously injured and have questions about your situation, our attorneys can help explain what factors may be relevant and what options may be available.