Phoenix, Ariz., February 12, 2010.  The No Texting While Driving Act, SB 1334, is scheduled to be heard on Monday, February 15th at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt. As an advocate for the motoring public, AAA Arizona hopes state legislators will take this important step forward to ban texting while driving, thereby increasing the safety of all motorists. The bill is sponsored by Senator Melvin and Representative Farley.

“Texting while driving is a serious public health issue, and residents want lawmakers to address it,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “A recent AAA poll revealed that nearly nine out of ten Arizona residents support a texting while driving ban. In addition, when asked to rank the seriousness of certain driving behaviors on a ten-point scale, respondents ranked texting while driving as the second most serious behavior, right behind driving under the influence of alcohol,” she continued.

Distracted driving is one of the biggest dangers on our roads today. Motorists who text message were found to be 23 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash or narrowly avoid one, according to a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

Currently, 19 states and the District of Columbia have laws that address text messaging by all drivers. Two more states have laws that prohibit teens or other new drivers from texting while driving. Other than the city of Phoenix, there are no laws that restrict motorists from texting while driving in Arizona. Late last year, AAA announced that the Association will work to pass laws banning text messaging by drivers in all 50 states by 2013.

To keep informed and engaged on vital transportation bills being considered during the 2010 Arizona legislature, visit AAA’s new interactive web site, www.azlegislation.com. Web site visitors will have the chance to stay abreast of issues that impact them, as well as engage in the debate with other online community members. Visitors that wish to become even more involved, can visit the “Take Action” section to see how to make their voice heard at the legislature.