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Daily Archives: May 4, 2014
County Board of Supervisors Approves Ordinance Regulating Use of Devices While Driving
FLAGSTAFF — Culminating multiple years of research and several months of deliberations, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that aims to curb distracted driving within the County.
On Tuesday, the Board unanimously passed County Ordinance 2014-03: Regulation of Portable Communication Devices and Texting While Operating a Motor Vehicle. During the meeting, members of the public who addressed the Board spoke favorably of the ordinance and urged its passage to increase public safety.
“Our board feels strongly that this is a public health and safety issue that needs to be addressed. Countless studies have shown that distracted drivers are far more likely to be involved in a crash than those who are focused on what’s going on around them,” said Board Chairman Matt Ryan. “On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I thank the Public Health District Advisory Board, our public health staff and Sheriff’s Office for helping address this critical issue.”
For years, County officials postponed passing its own ordinance, hoping that Arizona lawmakers would enact a statewide law placing restrictions on the use of cellphones and other devices while driving, Supervisor Ryan said.
While many bills have been introduced in the Arizona Legislature in that time, none have become law. Arizona is one of three states without any form of regulation on the use of cellphones and other devices while driving.
“It was important for the safety of our residents that we implement these safety measures in our area,” Supervisor Ryan said. “However, we still urge our lawmakers to consider a similar measure at the state level.”
The ordinance passed Tuesday goes into effect in 30 days on May 22. The ordinance states that “a person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a portable communications device to engage in a call unless that device is configured to allow hand-free listening and talking, and is used exclusively in that manner while driving. Texting and typing are banned while operating a motor vehicle.”
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Coconino County Supervisors Ban Use, Sale of Fireworks
FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution today that prohibits the sale and use of consumer fireworks in unincorporated areas of the County.
The action taken Friday immediately bans the sale and use of consumer fireworks on unincorporated areas of the County and is in effect until the U.S. Forest Service lifts Stage 1 fire restrictions.
“The Board has heard from countless residents who are concerned about what is likely to be an active fire season,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Ryan. “Our residents are all too familiar with the devastating impact wildfires have on our forests, property and economy. By approving this resolution banning the use of fireworks, the Board hopes to thwart the next wildfire.”
The Board approved the resolution under a new law signed Tuesday by Gov. Jan Brewer that grants counties under 500,000 people the authority to regulate the sale and use of fireworks when area forests enter into Stage 1 fire restrictions. Until signing the current law, counties could only regulate the use of consumer fireworks during a reasonable risk of wildfire.
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