The Pima County Sheriff's Department has lifted the 60 day grace period for the hands-free ordinance.
Put those cell phones down! 60-day grace period is over. This morning @PimaSheriff deputies will be giving out citations. @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/c0egch8UJD
— Carlos Herrera (@KGUNCarlos) August 4, 2017
Deputies will now be issuing tickets. Drivers are not allowed to be on their phone while driving, even when stopped at a stop sign or stop light.
"When we are behind people you start to see is the same thing impaired drivers do who are impaired by alcohol or drugs is you start to see weaving, bouncing from lane to lane, they can't stay in their own lane. They will straddle the lane dividers, they make poor decisions when they are driving, they are speeding, they are driving really slow," said Deputy Ryan Roher with the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
According to a press release from PCSD:
The ordinance (10.34.020) states: “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.” Use of a twoway radio will not be a violation of this ordinance. Use of a handheld electronic device in the event of an emergency will also be exempt. It is a civil traffic offense to violate this ordinance.
PUT THE PHONE DOWN.@PimaSheriff handing out tickets left and right for drivers on their phone. Already 4 tickets in 30 minutes @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/cUlsEMJBou
— Priscilla KGUN9 (@PriscillaCasper) August 4, 2017
During the grace period, deputies issued 4 citations, 361 written warnings, and 386 verbal warnings regarding this ordinance.
Deputies advise drivers to use Bluetooth or a phone mount.
UPDATE: 6 tickets given out in 2 hours. Drivers say they were aware of the hands-free ordinance but still used phone anyways @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/dHKh09zBW2
— Priscilla KGUN9 (@PriscillaCasper) August 4, 2017
