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When you’re sitting at a red light, it might feel harmless to glance at your phone to check a text or scroll through social media. After all, the car isn’t moving, so what’s the risk? However, scrolling on your phone or responding to texts at a red light can put you and other drivers at serious risk of an accident.
Is it illegal to be on your phone at a red light? Under Arizona’s hands-free law (A.R.S. § 28-914), manually holding or using a phone while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited, unless the vehicle is “stopped” under certain legal definitions.
The general consensus is that so long as your vehicle is at a complete stop, you can use hands-free phone features such as Bluetooth. However, there are still serious safety risks that can lead to a car accident if you use your phone while driving.
We at Shapiro Law Team are here to help clarify Arizona state laws and help you protect yourself and your rights. Understanding these laws and the potential consequences helps you stay safe and avoid costly fines.
Arizona’s hands-free law, formally known as A.R.S. § 28-914, went into effect statewide in 2021. The law makes it illegal for drivers to hold or support a cell phone or other electronic device with any part of their body while operating a motor vehicle on a public road.
The law does, however, make room for safer alternatives. Drivers are still allowed to use:
In Arizona, drivers can receive a fine if they’re caught with their phone in their hands while driving. Not only that, but these violations may be reported to insurance providers, potentially raising your rates.
The fines for violating this hands-free law can look like:
Many drivers wonder if there’s an exception to Arizona’s hands-free law if a vehicle is fully stopped at a red light. Under A.R.S. § 28-914, you cannot manually handle your phone whenever you are in active control of a vehicle on a public road.
Courts and law enforcement officers interpret “active control” broadly. If you’re seated in the driver’s seat, the car is on, and you’re waiting for the light to change, some may say that you are actively operating the vehicle. However, others argue this is an adequate stop; therefore, it’s okay to use your phone.
Since the interpretation of “active control” can be a grey area, it’s advised to only use your phone at a red light if you have hands-free phone functions or one-swipe activation. For the safety of yourself and other drivers on the road, it is not advised to manually handle your phone at any time you are behind the wheel.
Using your phone at a red light can make you liable if an accident occurs. Imagine the light turns green and your car doesn’t move because you’re distracted by your phone. The driver behind you might honk, swerve, or even rear-end you. In more serious cases, delayed reaction times can cause collisions if traffic patterns change suddenly.
If a crash occurs and the evidence shows you were using your phone at the time, it can serve as proof of negligence. In Arizona, negligence is the legal standard courts use to determine fault in personal injury cases.
A driver found to be on their phone at the time of the accident can be held financially responsible for:
Insurance adjusters take distracted driving seriously. If the police report mentions phone use or if witness testimony confirms it, your insurer may limit coverage or deny your claim altogether. In lawsuits, the fact that you were on the phone while behind the wheel can be used to strengthen the other party’s case against you.
In short, being on your phone at a red light is not a harmless habit. It puts your safety, your finances, and your driving record at risk.
Despite the risks, a surprising number of drivers in Arizona admit to using their phones when stopped at intersections. Surveys from traffic safety organizations consistently show that texting at red lights is one of the most common forms of distracted driving.
A recent study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that nearly 40% of drivers admitted to reading or sending texts at stoplights. The reasoning is simple: people feel it’s a “safe” moment since the car isn’t moving. However, this can create a false sense of security.
In Arizona, law enforcement agencies regularly conduct traffic safety campaigns highlighting how often drivers are caught glancing at their devices during red lights. They often noted that these moments of distraction spill over once the light changes. Drivers who are focused on their screens are slower to react, leading to traffic delays, sudden stops, or preventable collisions.
Is it illegal to be on your phone at a red light? Even if the law states that it’s legal, there are deeper reasons to put your phone down when waiting at a light. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents nationwide, and using your phone at intersections creates unique dangers.
Looking down at your phone for just three seconds is long enough to miss a green light or fail to notice traffic flow. This can significantly increase the likelihood of rear-end collisions or cause dangerous chain reactions.
Many serious accidents at intersections involve vehicles running red lights. If your eyes are on your phone instead of the cross-traffic, you may not notice a vehicle barreling through illegally. That split-second delay can make the difference between avoiding a crash and suffering a severe side-impact collision.
Even when you look back up at the road, your mind may linger on the message you just read. Studies show that the mental distraction from reading or sending a text can impair driving focus for up to 30 seconds after you put the phone down.
Beyond fines, tickets, and higher insurance premiums, distracted driving can hurt your reputation in court. If an accident occurs, opposing attorneys will argue that you acted recklessly, which can increase damages owed.
By not using your phone at red lights, you not only protect yourself but also everyone around you. Everyone gets where they’re going more safely when drivers remain alert.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a distracted driver, you may already know how quickly medical bills, missed paychecks, and other expenses can pile up. Arizona’s hands-free law exists to protect drivers and prevent these situations, but you shouldn’t have to pay the price if someone else chooses to ignore it.
At Shapiro Law Team, we understand how overwhelming the aftermath of a car accident can be. Our personal injury attorneys take a personal, compassionate approach to every case, working closely with you to pursue the compensation you deserve. We’re here to investigate your claim, build a strong case, and stand up to insurance companies on your behalf.
Your recovery is our priority. Contact us today for a free consultation with a trusted Phoenix car accident lawyer who can explain your options. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us a thing unless we win your case.
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