As of March 7, it is illegal to text and drive in the city of Cottonwood. A city ordinance passed on Feb. 12 allows Cottonwood Police to fine motorists $100 for a first offense and $250 for a second if they are caught using an electronic device while behind the wheel.
The Cottonwood ordinance allows officers to pull over and charge a driver if they see them using a device, even if the driver is otherwise driving safely and legally.
“The focus of this ordinance is to enhance traffic safety and reduce instances of distracted driving,” CPD Sgt. Monica Kuhlt wrote in a press release announcing the ordinance was in effect. “This ordinance is a cultural change and, as such, our police department will embark on an educational awareness campaign and provide a 60-day grace period where no citations will be issued.”
The distracted driving ordinance came at the suggestion of CPD Chief Steve Gesell, who made a presentation in favor of the measure at a city council meeting on Jan. 15. Arizona is one of just three states that do not ban distracted driving at the state level and, while Yavapai County passed an ordinance in October, it applies only to drivers on county roads, not within specific towns. The Cottonwood ordinance is modeled after the county one.
Legislation currently being discussed in the Arizona State Senate could impose a distracted driving ban statewide, but Gesell argued in favor of imposing one in the city anyway. If the senate bill passes, it could preempt the Cottonwood ordinance, but Cottonwood will be able to enforce its own law in the mean time.
“It’s a no-brainer,” Councilman Michael Mathews said at the initial Jan. 15 meeting discussing the bill. “But we all know also that an ordinance isn’t going to stop anyone from doing anything.
“Enforce it. Start writing tickets. It’s a small town, word will get out and that I think is the best motivation to get people to think twice about doing something like that.”
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551, or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
