Texting and driving ban officially begins in Pima County

Published: Jul. 18, 2016 at 8:47 AM MST|Updated: Mar. 2, 2018 at 4:18 PM MST
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TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Drivers who are caught texting and driving in Pima County could now face a $100 ticket.

"The whole idea behind this is keeping people alive," said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. "It was never about numbers of tickets, we don't have to give anyone a ticket."

The ordinance does not apply to vehicles that are stopped, however.

As long as drivers put the phone down when the light turns green, they are in the clear.

The distracted driving ordinance was passed by the Pima County Board of Supervisors in May.

[READ: Pima Co. supervisors pass ordinance to ban texting while driving]

Arizona is only one of a few states that does not have a statewide ban on texting behind the wheel.

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