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SB 1080 would ban teens from texting and driving

Posted at 8:31 PM, Mar 01, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-02 11:35:31-05

While nearly every other state in the country has given the green light, Arizona is still not along for the ride when it comes to banning texting while driving statewide.

On Wednesday, Senate Bill 1080 had its second reading in the House - passing on to the floor for a vote. 

This particular bill is focused on stopping teen drivers from using their phones - not all drivers. 

After 10 years, Senator Steve Farley said he is not settling. He is just changing his game plan in the legislature. 

"I will support any attempt that anybody makes to try and stop people from distracted driving," said Sen. Farley. 

He has been sponsoring more than a dozen bills focused on stopping texting and driving from anyone who gets behind the wheel.

None of them made it to the law books -maybe until now.  

"I think it's good to be able to start with people who are novice drivers and make clear from the beginning that this is a bad idea and you can't do it," Sen. Farley said.

This session, he is sponsoring the new legislation aimed at teens. This one won't let drivers use their phone at all within the six months of them getting their license. 

"I don't even dare touch a phone when we're driving," said Steve Imhoff. 

Imhoff is the owner of NControl Driving School and said, he teaches his students to keep their hands on the wheel and off their phones -- not just for the first six months, but always. 

"The motor skills isn't as difficult," Imhoff explained. "It's the decision-making skills. That's really the tough thing to learn."

However, the learning starts before your child gets their permit. 

Imhoff calls the kids "recorders," who sit in the backseat and take in every move you make as a parent.

"When the kids see mom and dad texting and driving, it just shows a mixed message," Imhoff explained. 

So, even if this new bill dies too, Senator Farley hopes the topic starts a conversation at home. 

"The one good part about this is that we get to keep talking about this in public year after year after year," Sen. Farley said. 

To see more details on the bill, click HERE