Transportation

Arizona's SB 1284 amends traffic laws to require drivers who fail to stop completely at red lights (violating A.R.S. § 28-645(A)(3)(a)) to attend a state-approved driver safety education program instead of facing standard fines. This applies to violations resulting in serious injury or death (covered under A.R.S. § 28-672), where courts must order the program and community restitution. The bill updates penalty structures for red-light running offenses, replacing typical citations with mandatory education for repeat or severe violations. It directly affects drivers convicted of red-light violations causing injury or death, shifting focus from fines to safety education.

SB 1531 creates a new "distracted driving special plate" program in Arizona, requiring a $32,000 upfront payment to the Department of Transportation by December 31, 2026, before the plates can be issued. The donor designs the plates (subject to department approval) and may combine it with personalized plate requests. For each plate issued, a $25 fee is charged, with $17 directed to a "distracted driving special plate fund" (to be deposited into the State Highway Fund). This program directly affects vehicle owners who pay the fees and seek these special plates, but only after the initial $32,000 payment is made. The bill does not change distracted driving laws or enforcement.

SB 1487 extends the deadline for implementing Hopi Tribe special license plates in Arizona from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026. It requires individuals to pay $32,000 to the state for these plates, with the payer designing the plates (subject to state approval). The bill specifies that $17 of the $25 plate fee goes directly to the Hopi Tribe’s public safety department for road maintenance and traffic control on tribal reservation roads. This program affects drivers purchasing Hopi plates and directs funds to tribal infrastructure, with retroactive application starting December 30, 2025.