Tucsonans might have to purchase a cell phone headset this holiday season.
According to the Arizona Daily Star, the city is trying to move forward with a plan that would make it a violation to physically use a cell phone without a hands-free accessory.
The new measure would require drivers to use the hands-free phone devices while driving, instead of having the phone in their hands. The city is partnering with Pima County and Oro Valley to pass the new ban. It would go even further than the city's current ban on texting while driving or the state's distracted-driving law.
It could make texting and driving a primary offense, meaning law enforcement officers could pull someone over just for using a cell phone while driving. Currently, texting while driving is a secondary offense. So, officers can only cite a driver for texting if they observe the driver committing another violation.
Meantime, the city says it needs to act on the issue soon. The goal is to pass the cell phone ban in the coming months and have a time period where officers issue warnings before writing tickets.
