Coconino County is a step closer to restricting cellphone use in vehicles. KJZZ’s Riis Valcho explains drivers would have to use a hands-free device.

The county would become the first in Arizona to limit cellphone use while driving. Each of the county supervisors said they would support such a measure.

Marie Peoples runs the Coconino county health department. Her group has been pushing for a cell phone ban for years.

“Arizona is one of three states that does not have a statewide ban, and so really, this is a public health issue, and that’s the impetus for us addressing it," said Peoples.

In the last six years, state lawmakers have considered two dozen bill addressing cell phone use while driving. None has become law.

The Navajo Nation passed a law prohibiting use of cell phones without a hands-free device in 2009. The county measure would give cities the choice to opt out. Flagstaff has rejected such bans in the past. 

An official vote comes in March.