Yavapai County has joined Coconino County in approving an ordinance banning cell phone use behind the wheel. The ordinance, which goes into effect on Friday, states “A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while holding in his or her hand, typing on or otherwise manually operating a portable communications device.” A violation of the ordinance would be a civil traffic violation. Arizona is one of only three states that still does not have a state-wide ban on texting while driving, though last spring, Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill prohibiting teens from using any wireless device while holding a learner’s permit and during the first six months of their provisional license.
