Driving

Arizona has finally caught up with the rest of the nation by banning texting while driving.  On April 22, 2019, Governor Ducey signed HB 2318 into law.  Now, the only states still permitting people to text and drive are Montana and Missouri.  The new Arizona law is broader in scope than some simple bans on texting.  Not only is it illegal to text and drive, HB 2318 prohibits holding your phone or any other electronic device while driving.  You can still talk with a hands-free device, but it is now illegal to be on a call with the phone in your hand or on your lap.  You are not permitted to touch your cell phone while driving.

If you travel on Loop 101, 202 or 303 be prepared to see some extra law enforcement officers on the road and know that they mean business. State Troopers will be citing anyone who they catch going over the speed limit, even a little. It is called “Operation No Need For Speed” and troopers are under strict orders to ticket anyone going over the speed limit. No exceptions.

Since 2013, the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has offered U.S. military veterans and active duty service members the option to have a their Arizona driver license, commercial driver license, identification card, or instruction permit include a Veteran Designation denoting their service. Certain U.S. military veterans and active duty service members are also eligible for a waiver of the Commercial Driver License skills test.

Most Arizonans over the age of 18 drive automobiles or ride motorcycles.  Hopefully, the majority have insurance coverage on the vehicles they drive.  We get copies of our insurance policies in the mail or on-line, but those policies are filled with confusing terms we may not fully understand.  This article is an attempt to explain what those terms mean to you and why it is important for you to know what coverages you have and what additional coverage you may need.

According to the organization KidsandCars.org, every year across the United States an average of more than three dozen children age 14 and under die of heatstroke after being left unattended in a motor vehicle. An average of one or two young children dies in this tragic manner every year here in Arizona.

Traffic enforcement cameras – also known as photo radar – are devices placed along roadways and used to detect and record traffic regulation violations. They are commonly used to detect and record when drivers run red lights and exceed posted speed limits.

What is Arizona’s “move over” law?

Under Arizona law, drivers of motor vehicles are required to change lanes – if they can do so safely – or to at least slow down significantly – if changing lanes is not possible – as soon as they notice a stranded driver, road or highway worker, tow truck driver, other roadside assistance provider, emergency responder, or law enforcement officer on or beside the roadway ahead of them.

What is a DUI?

The acronym “DUI” stands for driving under the influence.  The term is broad enough to encompass driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medications.  Arizona has a “zero tolerance” policy for alcohol. You can be arrested for DUI even if you are not over the legal limit for alcohol.

Did you know that Arizona has a “Stupid Motorist Law?”  Yep, back in the 1990’s, Arizona lawmakers grew tired of shelling out taxpayer money to rescue defiant and inattentive drivers who drove around barricades and tried to cross flooded roads and washes.  In 1995, they passed Arizona Revised Statutes, § 28-910, now commonly known as the Stupid Motorist Law.  The law makes stupid drivers financially responsible for the cost of their rescue.

What and When is the Monsoon?

The word “monsoon” has been around for hundreds of years.  It is derived from the Arabic word “mausim,” which means season.  In Dutch, it is monssoen, in Portuguese, it is moncao.  They all have the same meaning – a season of the year when the winds shift, bringing rainfall and wind storms.  The term “monsoon” first came to the English language when the British colonized India and experienced the trade winds blowing off the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, bringing wind and heavy rain.

Why Do We Need a New Driver’s License?

In 2005, Congress passed the Real ID Act, which was designed to set minimum security requirements for identifications used in airports, Federal Agencies, and nuclear power plants.  The Act was based on recommendations by the 9/11 Commission that the Federal Government set standards for sources of identification like drivers’ licenses.  On December 20, 2013, The Department of Homeland Security announced a phased enforcement plan for the Real ID law that allowed the states time to develop a new identification card that meets Federal requirements.

What is a safety corridor?

A safety corridor is a length of highway that has been designated as a no tolerance zone for traffic violations and that is monitored by a higher presence of law enforcement officers. If a person is caught speeding or violating any other traffic laws on this part of the road law enforcement will charge the person with all the violations witnessed.

A person over age 60 who renews their current Arizona driver license or applies for a new Arizona driver license receives a valid license that will expire five years from the date of issue. People under age 60 get a driver license that is valid until age 65.

  1. Survivor Vehicle Benefit

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This website has been prepared for general information purposes only. The information on this website is not legal advice. Legal advice is dependent upon the specific circumstances of each situation. Also, the law may vary from state-to-state or county-to-county, so that some information in this website may not be correct for your situation. Finally, the information contained on this website is not guaranteed to be up to date. Therefore, the information contained in this website cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel licensed in your jurisdiction.

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