Arizona’s New Distracted Driving Laws Could Be Driving Up Your Auto Insurance Premiums
Arizona’s hands-free driving law has been in effect since January 2021, but new data reveals that while the law has reduced some risky behaviors, it’s also creating significant financial consequences for drivers who get caught violating the regulations. Recent studies show that by 2024, Arizona drivers were 21% less likely to make handheld calls and 26% less likely to be on a handheld call at any given moment, yet the law’s impact on your wallet extends far beyond the initial citation.
Understanding Arizona’s Hands-Free Law
Arizona’s law prohibits drivers from using a cellphone or a stand-alone electronic device while driving unless it is being used in a hands-free mode. The statute specifically forbids an individual from driving a vehicle on a street or highway if a person “physically holds or supports with any part of the person’s body” an electronic device, such as a cell phone, or if a person “writes, sends, or reads any text based communication”.
The law applies to all drivers regardless of age and includes prohibitions on:
- Holding or supporting a device with your body, including in your hands and perched on your shoulder
- Reading, writing or sending messages via any portable wireless communication device
- Scrolling through social media, watching videos, recording videos, or any other use of the device that causes a distraction and requires use of your body
Financial Penalties: More Than Just a Fine
While the immediate financial impact of a distracted driving citation might seem manageable, the long-term costs can be substantial. First time violators face a fine between $75 and $149 and second or subsequent violators face a fine between $150 and $250. However, these fines are just the beginning of your financial burden.
Violations could include up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine if the driver causes a crash that results in serious injury or death. For commercial drivers, the consequences can be even more severe, with potential suspension of their Commercial Driver’s License.
The Real Cost: Auto Insurance Rate Increases
The most significant long-term financial impact of a distracted driving citation comes from increased auto insurance premiums. Distracted driving violations can increase insurance rates in Arizona, as drivers cited for Arizona distracted driving laws and penalties may be seen by insurance companies as high-risk motorists.
According to recent data, in Arizona, car insurance prices typically increase by $309 each year following a distracted driving citation, which amounts to a 25% increase from the average yearly rate in Arizona and 79% more than the national average cost of auto insurance after a distracted driving offense.
Nationally, getting a ticket for texting while driving will significantly increase your auto insurance rates, with insurers classifying distracted driving as a major moving violation, resulting in premium hikes that currently average between 20% and 30%, depending on your location.
Long-Term Impact on Your Driving Record
In most states, a texting while driving ticket stays on your driving record for three to five years, and this violation can impact your auto insurance premiums for as long as it appears on your record—usually for the full duration. Insurance companies consider these violations as indicators of high-risk behavior, which justifies rate increases that can persist for several years.
Drivers who frequently engage in distracted driving may qualify as high-risk individuals, with insurance companies categorizing these drivers based on their history of incidents and citations linked to distractions. Being labeled as high-risk can limit coverage options, with such drivers often only finding availability in non-standard insurance markets, often leading to higher premiums.
Mixed Results from Arizona’s Law
Despite the law being in effect for several years, recent studies show mixed results. Telematics data compiled from insurance companies’ safe-driving apps showed that Arizona drivers spent 26% less time on handheld calls after the ban went into effect, but the new law had little impact on cellphone manipulation—an umbrella term that covers scrolling, swiping, typing and any other action that requires holding the device.
As one researcher noted, “The fact that drivers continued to type and scroll in the wake of a law that made it illegal even to hold the device shows how hard it’s going to be to stop this behavior. Sustained, high-visibility enforcement efforts are likely needed to make drivers take the new law seriously”.
Finding Affordable Coverage After a Violation
If you’ve received a distracted driving citation, shopping around for insurance becomes crucial. The best way to get cheap auto insurance after a distracted driving ticket is to compare different carriers, with the cheapest auto insurance company following being ticketed for distracted driving in Arizona being GEICO, with a typical rate of just $905 per year, 42% lower than the average distracted driving insurance premium from all insurers.
When searching for competitive rates from auto insurance companies maricopa county, it’s essential to work with an experienced independent insurance agency that can compare multiple carriers and find the best rates for your specific situation.
How Premier Choice Insurance Can Help
Located in Mesa, Arizona, Premier Choice Insurance understands the unique challenges Arizona drivers face with the state’s distracted driving laws. As an independent insurance agency in Mesa, Premier Choice Insurance takes pride in reviewing your options with multiple insurance companies and comparing protection and prices to find the best value.
Premier Choice Insurance shops auto insurance quotes through over 40 carriers to find you the absolute best coverage at a great rate. Founded on the principle to provide the most complete, comprehensive and competitive insurance products at the highest level of service to each and every customer, the agency specializes in helping drivers navigate the complex insurance landscape, especially those dealing with violations or high-risk situations.
Prevention is the Best Strategy
The most effective way to avoid both citations and insurance rate increases is to comply with Arizona’s hands-free law. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds, and at 55 mph that equates to driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. People who text and drive are 23 times more likely to get into a car accident.
Arizona drivers should remember that even checking your phone while stopped at a red light may be a violation, as the law applies to drivers who are temporarily stopped but still in control of the vehicle.
While Arizona’s distracted driving law aims to improve road safety, the financial consequences for violations extend far beyond the initial citation. With insurance rate increases that can persist for years and significantly impact your budget, the true cost of using your phone while driving in Arizona is much higher than many drivers realize. Working with an experienced independent insurance agency like Premier Choice Insurance can help you find the most competitive rates and navigate the complex world of auto insurance, whether you’re dealing with a clean record or working to overcome past violations.