Distracted Driving Awareness By Hannah Tiede | April 14, 2021 at 10:56 PM MST - Updated April 14 at 10:59 PM
TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - April is ‘Distracted Driving Awareness’ month and two mothers are determined to make the most of it. Julie Festerling and Deborah Garcia know exactly what can happen when a driver takes their eyes off the road.
“It hits us extra hard this month,” Festerling said.
So, they have launched a new campaign.
“Phones down. Eyes Up. Just Drive.” The short message runs across the marquee at Mountain View High School. Similar signs are also displayed at about half a dozen other schools across Pima County.
TUCSON (KVOA) - The Distracted Driving law went into effect last spring with law enforcement giving drivers warnings if they were on their cell phones talking or texting.
As of Jan. 1, people have started getting tickets. This is a law two mothers hope will save lives.
When people get pulled over for distracted driving, besides the ticket, they also get a brochure that says the law is in effect and reminds the driver to keep their hands off the phone when they are behind the wheel. We never thought it would happen to us, Deborah Garcia said,
But in 2019, it did when Garcia lost her son. Julie Festerling also lost her daughter, Caitlin in the same crash.
âIt shattered our familiesâ: Mothers hope distracted driving law is taken seriously
Distracted Driving Law goes into effect By Karly Tinsley | December 28, 2020 at 10:41 PM MST - Updated December 29 at 2:26 PM
TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - Starting New Yearâs Day, drivers in Arizona can face fines for using a phone while driving.
READ MORE ON THE LAW
The stateâs new hands-free law prohibiting in-hand use of electronic devices while driving went into effect after being signed by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey on April 22, 2019. It immediately made using devices like cell phones in-hand while driving a primary offense, while citations and penalties take effect on January 1, 2021.