Assigned to TRANSIT                                                                                               AS PASSED BY COMMITTEE

 

                                                                                                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Third Legislature, First Regular Session

 

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1080

 

teenage drivers; communication devices prohibited

 

Purpose

 

Prohibits instruction permittees and certain class G licensed drivers from using a wireless communication device while driving a motor vehicle.

 

Background

 

Instruction permits are granted to persons at least 15 years and 6 months of age who successfully pass all parts of the driver license exam other than the driving test. An instruction permit entitles the permittee to drive a motor vehicle on public highways for twelve months when the permit is in the immediate possession of the permittee and the driver is accompanied by a person who has a class A, B, C or D license and is at least 21 years of age (A.R.S. § 28-3154).

 

A class G license is a graduated driver license for individuals who are at least 16 years old but are younger than 18 years old, and allows an individual to drive any vehicle that does not require a motorcycle or commercial driver license (A.R.S. § 28-3101).

 

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Prohibits the following individuals from using a wireless communication device while driving:

a)      drivers with instruction permits; and

b)      drivers with class G driver licenses for the first 6 months of driving or until their 18th birthday.

 

2.      Allows class G licensed drivers to use audible turn-by-turn navigation systems while driving if:

a)      the destination is not manually entered into the device while the licensee is driving; and

b)      the licensee does not manually adjust the device while driving.

 

3.      Allows drivers to use wireless communication devices during emergency situations.

 

4.      Prohibits peace officers from issuing a citation to drivers on state highways for using a wireless communication device while driving unless there is reasonable belief that the driver is violating a different state motor vehicle law.

 

5.      Makes conforming changes.

 

6.      Becomes effective on July 1, 2018.

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee

 

·         Adds a qualifying exception to the prohibition on using wireless communication devices while driving.

 

Senate Action

 

TransIT           1/24/17     DPA     6-1-0-0

 

Prepared by Senate Research

January 26, 2017

KN/BN/rr