House to vote on 3 bills targeting phone use while driving

Arizona House lawmakers are expected to vote on three proposed laws designed to deal with distracted driving caused by cellphone use.

Two are versions of a total ban on hand-held cellphone use while driving and another just strengthens the state’s existing distracted driving law.

Republican Sen. Kate Brophy McGee says she is “confident” the toughest measure she is backing has enough support to pass the House on Thursday. The Senate approved that proposal on a 20-9 vote last week.

House Speaker Rusty Bowers decided all three would get votes after majority Republicans met Wednesday to discuss how to deal with the competing measures.

Proponents of the ban point to the death of a police officer in January after a distracted driver lost control on Phoenix-area freeway.