Le Templar: It’s routinely repeated that texting while driving isn’t illegal in Arizona, but that’s simply not true. In general, Arizona makes any type of reckless driving a misdemeanor crime with a possible sentence of up to four months in jail 

It’s a sad state of affairs when legislators we elect to protect us ‘can’t see the forest through the trees’.

PHOENIX -- Calling it an unnecessary intrusion on individual rights, the state House voted narrowly Monday to kill legislation that would have imposed Arizona's first-ever statewide ban on texting while driving.

A free application that helps to curb the urge to text while driving is available for AT&T customers as part of the company’s “Texting Can Wait” campaign.

A free application that helps to curb the urge to text while driving is available for AT&T customers as part of the company’s “Texting Can Wait” campaign.

A free application that helps to curb the urge to text while driving is available for AT&T customers as part of the company’s “Texting Can Wait” campaign.

Arizona motorists could soon lose their ability to text that they're going to be late for dinner.

Don't read or e-mail this story if you are driving.

For the first time ever, the state Senate on Monday voted to make it illegal to text while driving. The 19-10 vote follows several years of defeats for sponsors at the hands of those who argued the measure amounts to “nanny state” legislation, with lawmakers telling motorists what’s good for them. Several foes continued to express similar sentiments on Monday.

It looks like Arizonans may have to park their cell phones and PDAs before they put the car in drive.

Arizona motorists remain free to let their fingers send text messages while they are trying to drive down the highway. On a tie vote, the Senate on Tuesday killed a proposal that would have made it illegal not only to compose or send text messages while driving but even to read them.

A Senate panel voted unanimously Monday to make it illegal to text while driving.

Ann McFeatters: Distracted driving is the "new norm" among young drivers, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. It's the 21st century's equivalent of driving under the influence. And just like drunk driving and failure to wear seat belts, it's taken a long time to awaken the country to the dangers of not paying attention behind the wheel. 

Adults will remain free to light up while their children are in their vehicles and send text messages while driving. They even will be able to let their children ride around in the back of their pickup trucks.

 A measure that would have banned sending text messages on electronic devices while driving died in the Arizona Legislature earlier this year. This was the right decision. These laws are almost impossible to enforce, as most “texting” drivers don’t display their cell phones within sight of passing cops.

Gov. Janet Napolitano does not appear anywhere near as anxious as some of her Democrat colleagues to make it illegal to do texting while driving.

Beginning today, motorists in Phoenix can be pulled over and ticketed for text messaging while driving.

The National Driving Safety Institute and Cricket Communications have teamed up for the inaugural XCD (Exceed) Driver Improvement Program, which teaches young drivers the importance of safe driving and the dangers of texting and driving.

The National Driving Safety Institute and Cricket Communications have teamed up for the inaugural XCD (Exceed) Driver Improvement Program, which teaches young drivers the importance of safe driving and the dangers of texting and driving.

So our State Legislature has decided once again to drop the ball on banning texting while driving. When will it get its act together? Everyday, Every minute on every street throughout this state and I am guessing every other, there is some moron who is texting while driving. For example a genius in Georgia was recently pulled over while “double- texting.” (evtnow.com/5cp)

Motorists who drive around children younger than nine may soon have to purchase special booster seats.