Some Cities Passing Tougher Distracted Driving Laws Than States
Several cities are responding to what they view as lax state legislation by passing their own distracted driving laws. Three states in the nation still allow texting while driving and only 16 have adopted hands-free laws, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Cities in Arizona and Michigan have passed distracted driving laws that are more strict than ones passed at the state level.
Photo via U.S. Air Force.
Several cities are responding to what they view as lax state legislation by passing their own distracted driving laws. Three states in the nation still allow texting while driving and only 16 have adopted hands-free laws, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Glendale, Arizona is a case in point. Arizona does not currently have a statewide ban on texting while driving, so Glendale city council members took matters into their own hands. The council recently passed an ordinance stating that drivers can be pulled over for using a cellphone even if stopped at a red light, reports ABC News.
Now, if caught using a cell phone behind the wheel, Glendale motorists face stiff penalties — as high as $250.
Meanwhile, Battle Creek, Mich., recently banned the use of cell phones behind the wheel, reports the Grand Valley Lanthorn. Starting on Feb. 15, motorists in the city found handling a cellphone can get pulled over, despite whether or not they are texting.
While Michigan's state law bans texting while driving, it leaves ample room for drivers to engage in other cellphone manipulation — for example, using GPS, making calls, and switching music playlists.
Violators of Battle Creek's new hands-free law will be fined $100 for the first offense and $200 for subsequent violations, notes the report.
Distracted driving remains a serious concern nationwide. In a recent survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 80% of motorists said they have talked on their phone while driving in the past 30 days, with 30% reporting that they do it on a daily basis. Moreover, 38% of those surveyed admitted to reading emails or texts while driving and 33% said they sent emails or texts.
Presently, no state in the nation bans all cell phone use for drivers, but 38 states and D.C. ban all cellphone use by novice drivers, according to the GHSA.
More Safety

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity
Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.
Read More →
From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap
Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.
Read More →
Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset
Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.
Read More →
Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program
For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.
Read More →
How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal
Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.
Read More →
The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology
You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.
Read More →
Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks
Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness
Read More →
NETS Sets 2026 Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference for Indianapolis
The Sept. 15–17 program will feature fleet benchmarking data, case studies, emerging technologies, and implementation strategies while running alongside the NSC Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
Off-the-Job Crashes Account for 43% of Employers’ $61.7 Billion Crash Burden
NETS quantifies costs dispersed across fleet, risk, HR, and other departments while providing new per-crash benchmarks for employers.
Read More →
Ram Recalls More Than 1.27 Million 1500 Pickups for Seat Belt Anchor Issue
The recall affects certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 pickups that may have improperly attached second-row seat belt buckle anchors.
Read More →