Chandler, Ariz. Bans Cell Phone Use While Driving in City Vehicles
CHANDLER, AZ — The City of Chandler has enacted a policy that prohibits its employees from talking on cell phones while they are driving a municipal vehicle, according to the Associated Press.
CHANDLER, AZ — The City of Chandler has enacted a policy that prohibits its employees from talking on cell phones while they are driving a municipal vehicle, according to the Associated Press. Failure to abide by the policy could cost employees their job. "It's better to be safe than have an employee or citizen injured," said O.D. Burr, Chandler's risk manager, who helped draft the policy that took effect this month. The policy exempts police officers but encourages them not to talk and drive. Burr said claims against the city for accidents caused by employees on cell phones spurred the change. New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C, ban all motorists from driving while talking on the phone, but efforts to bring such a law to Arizona failed this year. Other Arizona Cities, such as Phoenix and Mesa tell employees they "should not" drive while talking on cell phones, and Phoenix sanitation workers are prohibited from using cell phones while operating machinery. Arizona commercial vehicle regulations prohibit school bus drivers from talking on cell phones.
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