• 21 Oct 16
  

  cmelordi
  • Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 46 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 5 have primary enforcement. Of the 4 states without an all driver texting ban:
  • ¹ Arkansas also bans the use of hand-held cell phones while driving in a school zone or in a highway construction zone. This law is secondarily enforced. 
      ² Texas has banned the use of hand-held phones and texting in school zones.
• 29 Sep 16
  

  emilyvb
• 

  heaven_taylor
  • . Currently, 46 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 5 have primary enforcement. Of the 4 states without an all driver texting ban:
• 02 Sep 16
  

  akyann87

  research

  Distracted Driving Research olc113

• 24 Apr 16
  

  jamesprechtl
  • Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 46 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 5 have primary enforcement.
• 12 Apr 16
  

  emiliebutler16

  Tech

  • Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007
• 25 Mar 16
  

  Martin Sweaney

  driving laws texting cell

• 23 Mar 16
  

  gskohn

  distracted driving

• 18 Sep 15
  

  claire dicesare
• 23 Jul 15
  

  levigilman

  • This chart outlines state distracted driving laws. Some localities have additional regulations. Enforcement type is shown in parenthesis.

     
     
    • Hand-held Cell Phone Use: 14 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.    All are primary enforcement laws—an officer may cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
     
    •  
       

      Learn More About Distracted Driving

       

      Issue Brief

       

      Distracted Driving Publications

       

      State Media Campaigns

       

      Tips to Avoid Distractions

       
        All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers, and 20 states and D.C. prohibit it for school bus drivers.
     
    • Text Messaging: Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 46 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 5 have primary enforcement. Of the 4 states without an all driver texting ban: 
       
      • 2 prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
       
      • 1 restricts school bus drivers from texting.
     
     

    Crash Data Collection: Nearly all states include at least one category for distraction on police crash report forms, although the specific data collected varies. The Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) guideline provides best practices on distraction data collection.

     

    Preemption Laws: Some states have preemption laws that prohibit local jurisdictions from enacting their own distracted driving bans. States with such laws include – but may not be limited to – Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Carolina.
• 08 Jul 15
  

  gordiereed
  • • Hand-held Cell Phone Use: 14 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.    All are primary enforcement laws—an officer may cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
     
    •  
       

      Learn More About Distracted Driving

       

      Issue Brief

       

      Distracted Driving Publications

       

      State Media Campaigns

       

      Tips to Avoid Distractions

       
        All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers, and 20 states and D.C. prohibit it for school bus drivers.
     
    • Text Messaging: Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 46 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 5 have primary enforcement. Of the 4 states without an all driver texting ban: 
       
      • 2 prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
       
      • 1 restricts school bus drivers from texting.
• 20 Apr 15
  

  jackyjack

  Current statistics

  • Hand-held Cell Phone Use: 14 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.    All are primary enforcement laws—an officer may cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
  • All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers, and 20 states and D.C. prohibit it for school bus drivers.
  • Yes
     (Primary)  Covered under all driver ban  Yes

  1 more annotation...

• 04 Mar 15
  

  avilaa
  • No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use b
  •  
    • Text Messaging: Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 44 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 5 have primary enforcement. Of the 6 states without an all driver texting ban: 
       
      • 4 prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
       
      • 3 restrict school bus drivers from texting.
     
     

    Crash Data Collection: Nearly all states include at least one category for distraction on police crash report forms, although the specific data collected varies. The Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) guideline provides best practices on distraction data collection.

     

    Preemption Laws: Some states have preemption laws that prohibit local jurisdictions from enacting their own distracted driving bans. States with such laws include – but may not be limited to – Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Carolina.

     

    NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on distracted driving laws other than what is presented here. For more information,
• 18 Feb 15
  

  kmartin11

  This article is about state distracted driving laws. Includes all states, including Michigan, on what the laws about distracted driving are. Many different rules, but a lot are similar at the same time.

• 02 Feb 15
  

  dachosa
  • Hand-held Cell Phone Use: 14 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.    All are primary enforcement laws—an officer may cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
  • • All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers, and 20 states and D.C. prohibit it for school bus drivers.
     
    • Text Messaging: Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 44 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 5 have primary enforcement. Of the 6 states without an all driver texting ban: 
       
      • 4 prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
       
      • 3 restrict school bus drivers from texting.
• 28 Jan 15
  

  vangi2000

  • January 2015

     

    This chart outlines state distracted driving laws. Some localities have additional regulations. Enforcement type is shown in parenthesis.

     
     
    • Hand-held Cell Phone Use: 14 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.    All are primary enforcement laws—an officer may cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
     
    •  
       

      Learn More About Distracted Driving

       

      Issue Brief

       

      Distracted Driving Publications

       

      State Media Campaigns

       

      Tips to Avoid Distractions

       
        All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers, and 20 states and D.C. prohibit it for school bus drivers.
     
    • Text Messaging: Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 44 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 5 have primary enforcement. Of the 6 states without an all driver texting ban: 
       
      • 4 prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
       
      • 3 restrict school bus drivers from texting.
     
     

    Crash Data Collection: Nearly all states include at least one category for distraction on police crash report forms, although the specific data collected varies. The Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) guideline provides best practices on distraction data collection.

     

    Preemption Laws: Some states have preemption laws that prohibit local jurisdictions from enacting their own distracted driving bans. States with such laws include – but may not be limited to – Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Carolina.
  • Governors Highway Safety Association
• 28 Oct 14
  

  chasegibson45

  Research Paper

  • 14 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.
  • 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers, and 20 states and D.C. prohibit it for school bus drivers.
  • Currently, 44 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 5 have primary enforcement. Of the 6 states without an all driver texting ban:
  • • 4 prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
     
    • 3 restrict school bus drivers from texting.

  2 more annotations...

• 20 Oct 14
  

  Kempf Abigail

  This article is reliable because it is from a ".org" website. It states current facts on distracted driving laws, including texting while driving. In my speech I will use the statistic that 44 states in the United States ban text messaging for all drivers. I will also point out that the 6 states that do not have an all driver texting ban, have bans on texting while driving for specific drivers.

• 27 May 14
  

  jahidadejesus
• 19 May 14
  

  valeriie_20
• 11 May 14
  

  listacular
• 02 May 14
  

  melissa_cosme

  tech lit final exam

• 

  andr3a23

  tech-lit-final-exam

• 

  papi_mayonesa

  tech lit final project

• 

  isabeliepichardo

  tech lit final

• 

  cindypalma

  Tech Lit Final Exam Project

• 

  jevet2116

  project

• 

  joeyocasio
• 

  maggiezamudioxo
• 25 Apr 14
  

  Kylie Vance

  used

• 22 Apr 14
  

  Kylie Vance

  state laws

• 08 Apr 14
  

  Hope Alexander
• 07 Apr 14
  

  Kaitlyn Brown

  This website talks about the laws of using your phone while driving.

• 05 Mar 14
  

  chrismeyer
  • Hand-held Cell Phone Use: 12 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.    Beginning in October 2013, all laws will be primary enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
• 28 Oct 13
  

  emilyberry32

  research_paper

• 24 Sep 13
  

  Harlie winters
• 22 Sep 13
  

  Clint Quappe
  • Hand-held Cell Phone Use: 12 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.    Beginning in October 2013, all laws will be primary enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
  • ext Messaging: Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 41 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 4 have primary enforcement.  
     
    • An additional 6 states prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
     
    • 3 states restrict school bus drivers from texting.
• 17 Sep 13
  

  Isabel Geter

  texting and driving laws

  • Hand-held Cell Phone Use: 12 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.    Beginning in October 2013, all laws will be primary enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place
  • 3 states restrict school bus drivers from texting
• 16 Sep 13
  

  Helen Wales

  Laws of texting and driving

• 25 Jul 13
  

  mandy maxlow
• 21 Mar 13
  

  claytonjost
• 20 Mar 13
  

  carter_kory

  Distracted driving dangers

• 18 Dec 12
  

  Erin S
  • Handheld Cell Phone Use: 10 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving.    Except for Maryland and West Virginia (until July 2013), all laws are primary enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell
  • phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
  • All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but many prohibit use by certain subsets: 
     
    • 32 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers.
     
    • School bus drivers in 19 states and D.C. may not use a cell phone when passengers are present.

  1 more annotation...

• 01 Dec 12
  

  the ipl2

  The Governors Highway Safety Association is a non-profit group “representing the state and territorial highway safety offices that implement programs to address behavioral highway safety issues”.

  driving driving safety safety road safety cell phone safety

• 15 Nov 12
  

  Tyron M
  • Some states such as Maine, N.H. and Utah treat cell phone use as part of a broader distracted driving issue.
  • In Utah, cellphone use is an offense only if a driver also commits another moving violation (other than speeding).
• 07 Nov 12
  

  Kaylie S

  • This chart outlines state distracted driving laws. Some localities have additional regulations. Enforcement type is shown in parenthesis.

     
     
    • Handheld Cell Phone Use: 10 states, D.C., Guam and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving.    Except for Maryland and West Virginia (until July 2013), all laws are primary enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
  • • All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but many prohibit use by certain subsets: 
       
      • 32 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers.
       
      • School bus drivers in 19 states and D.C. may not use a cell phone when passengers are present.
       
       
     
    • Text Messaging: 39 states, D.C., Guam and the Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but 4 have primary enforcement. 
       
      • An additional 5 states prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
       
      • 3 states restrict school bus drivers from texting.
       
       
     
    • Some states such as Maine, N.H. and Utah treat cell phone use as part of a broader distracted driving issue. In Utah, cellphone use is an offense only if a driver also commits another moving violation (other than speeding).
• 15 Oct 12
  

  kenton elkins

  texting driving laws

• 10 Oct 12
  

  Madison R

  illegal texting

• 05 Oct 12
  

  Jose Baez

  Causing texting and driving.

  Texting Media Mobile

• 21 Sep 12
  

  ANH NGUYEN

  cell phone

  • Some states such as Maine, N.H. and Utah treat cell phone use as part of a broader distracted driving issue. In Utah, cellphone use is an offense only if a driver also commits another moving violation (other than speeding).
• 09 Sep 12
  

  kantchoiu gatzaro

  state bans laws facts across the nation

• 

  Alex Osorio

  In this site you could find what are the laws in different states on texting and driving. It also informs you of the new laws that they are trying to inforce.

  eng 102 wp2 laws texting driving

• 01 May 12
  

  LaTonya Drummer

  Author of website: http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

• 23 Apr 12
  

  Tierra Rencher

  Author of website:N/P
  Date: April, 2012
  Title of article:Cell Phone and Texting Laws
  
  Website URL:http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
  
  APA Citation:Cell Phone and Texting Laws( 2012, April). Retrieved from http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
  
  
  Summary: Not only is texting and driving a problem, but using other hand held devices are becoming driving distractions also.Here all bans and regulations of all fifty states are listen.
  

• 19 Apr 12
  

  Sarah Howard

  info

  research

• 30 Mar 12
  

  Jillian Price
• 25 Mar 12
  

  Taylor Lawson
• 22 Mar 12
  

  MARINA S

  laws driving texting law safety cell

• 31 Jan 12
  

  MEHRON M

  These are laws about texting while driving. 

  laws cell safety texting driving law mobile cell phone

• 03 Jan 12
  

  Hanna Frakes

  2
  "Cell Phone and Texting Laws." Governors Highway Safety Association. GHSA, 2012. Web. 6 Mar 2012. <http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html>.

  • 9 states, D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving.    Except for Maryland, all laws are primary enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
  • No state bans all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for all drivers
  • 35 states, D.C. and Guam ban text messaging for all drivers. 32 states, D.C., and Guam have primary enforcement; the others, secondary.

  1 more annotation...

• 02 Jan 12
  

  wayne miller

  research texting

  • 9 states, D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving.    Except for Maryland, all laws are primary enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
  • Many states include a category for cell phone/electronic equipment distraction on police accident report forms.
• 03 Nov 11
  

  dustijones
• 27 Oct 11
  

  Lacey U

  phone laws webpage

  • Cell Phone and Texting Laws
  • • Handheld Cell Phones: 9 states, D.C. and the Virgin Islands  prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while  driving. Except for Maryland, all laws are primary  enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell  phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
  • All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell phone use (handheld  and hands-free) for all drivers, but many prohibit all cell phone use by certain  drivers:  
     
    • Novice Drivers: 30 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use  by novice drivers.
     
    • School Bus Drivers: Bus drivers in 19 states and D.C. may  not use a cell phone when passengers are present.
  • Text Messaging: 34 states, D.C. and Guam ban text messaging for  all drivers. 31 states, D.C., and Guam have primary enforcement; the others,  secondary.  
     
    • Novice Drivers: An additional 7 states prohibit text  messaging by novice drivers.
     
    • School Bus Drivers: 3 states restrict school bus drivers  from texting while driving
  • Maryland Yes
    (Secondary)   <18 w/ Learner or Provisional License
    (Secondary) Yes
    (Primary) Covered under all driver ban Yes

  3 more annotations...

• 06 Oct 11
  

  Martha Thayer

  law driving mobile phones cell phones states laws

• 20 Sep 11
  

  alexander wehry

  mobile

• 03 Sep 11
  

  Thomas Cook

  The Governors Highway Safety Association outline the laws about cell phone use while driving. Laws include both texting and talking on the cell phone. Sept. 2011

  personal+freedoms cell phone driving safety

• 18 Jul 11
  

  Deb Kaczmar

  driving cellphone texting law state

• 06 Jul 11
  

  Jessika Lark

  No more texting!

• 21 Apr 11
  

  Samantha Zinn
• 14 Apr 11
  

  Hannah Kroger

  Outlines laws in different states

  laws states

  • Cell Phone and Texting Laws
  • Handheld Cell Phones
  • All Cell Phone Use
  • Text Messaging
  • Total States

  3 more annotations...

• 02 Apr 11
  

  Cody Rosales

  This site provides data covering which states have laws banning different types of cell phone use. Michigan is one of 30 states with the text banning and only 8 states currently ban handheld cell phones while driving.

• 07 Mar 11
  

  Kyle S

  • This chart outlines all state cell phone and text messaging laws. Some local  jurisdictions may have additional regulations. Enforcement type is shown in  parenthesis.
  • Handheld Cell Phones: 8 states (Calif., Conn., Del., Md., N.J.,  N.Y., Ore. and Wash.), D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers  from using handheld cell phones while driving.
  • •  
       
      • Except for Maryland, all laws are primary enforcement—an  officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other  traffic offense taking place.
     
    • All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell
  • phone use (handheld and hands-free) for all drivers, but many prohibit all cell  phone use by certain drivers:  
     
    • Novice Drivers: 28 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use  by novice drivers.
     
    • School Bus Drivers: Bus drivers in 18 states and D.C. may  not use a cell phone when passengers are present.
  • Missouri           <21
    (Primary)

  3 more annotations...

• 23 Feb 11
  

  daniel fulce
• 22 Feb 11
  

  trevorbushinger

  TXTDRIVE

  • • Handheld Cell Phones: 8 states (Calif., Conn., Del., Md., N.J., N.Y., Ore. and Wash.), D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. 
       
      • Except for Maryland, all laws are primary enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
       
       
     
    • All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for all drivers, but many prohibit all cell phone use by certain drivers: 
• 20 Dec 10
  

  Carlos Virgen

  Traveling by automobile this holiday season? Check out the state laws on mobile phone talking & texting for your trip: http://bit.ly/e3eGdl

• 23 Nov 10
  

  Alexander Sanderson

  Cell Phone and Texting Laws

  texting laws driving cell phone

• 14 Nov 10
  

  J G

  law telephone information

• 21 Oct 10
  

  Allanah Jackson

  cell texting driving laws

• 19 May 10
  

  Rebecca Ham

  Contains information on the states that have banned or restricted cell phones while driving.

  Cell Phones

• 

  Angie Spann

  Law cell_phone_laws

• 17 May 10
  

  Vicky Cianci

  car cell-phones cellphonelaws driving_cars laws driving technology list legal law

• 15 May 10
  

  Michele Thorne

  Distracted? Laws

• 12 Apr 10
  

  neelam damani

  2B_James

• 10 Mar 10
  

  Rudy M
  • 6 states (Calif., Conn., N.J., N.Y., Ore. and Wash.), D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving.
  • 19 states, the District of Columbia and Guam now ban text messaging for all drivers.
• 

  Katie Yeager
  • • Handheld Cell Phones: 6 states (Calif., Conn., N.J., N.Y., Ore. and Wash.), D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. 
       
      • Except for Washington, these laws are primary enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
       
       
     
    • All Cell Phone Use: No state completely bans all types of cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for all drivers, but many prohibit cell phone use by some drivers: 
       
      • Novice Drivers: 21 states and the District of Columbia ban all cell use by novice drivers.
       
      • School Bus Drivers: In 17 states and the District of Columbia, school bus drivers are prohibited from all cell phone use when passengers are present.
       
       
     
    • Text Messaging: 19 states, the District of Columbia and Guam now ban text messaging for all drivers. 15 states, D.C., and Guam have primary enforcement. In the other four, texting bans for all drivers are secondarily enforced. Some states limit texting by specific drivers: 
       
      • Novice Drivers: 9 states prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
       
      • School Bus Drivers: 1 state restricts school bus drivers from texting while driving.
       
       
     
    • Some states, such as Maine, New Hampshire and Utah treat cell phone use and texting as part of a larger distracted driving issue. Utah considers cellphone use to be an offense only if a driver is also committing some other moving violation (other than speeding).
• 

  Amanda Shope
  • <!-- end #sidebar1 -->
     
    <!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="body" --> 

     

    Learn More

     

     
    • Issue Brief: Distracted Driving  
    • Letters to Congress  
       
      • House  
      • Senate
       
    • Distraction.gov

     

    Cell Phone and Texting Laws

     

     <script language="JavaScript">  <!--  var now = new Date();  var months = new Array(  'January','February','March','April','May',  'June','July','August','September','October',  'November','December');  var date = ((now.getDate()<10) ? "0" : "")+ now.getDate();  function fourdigits(number) {  return (number < 1000) ? number + 1900 : number;}  today = months[now.getMonth()] + " " +  (fourdigits(now.getYear()));  document.write(today);  //--> </script> March 2010

     

    State cell phone and texting while driving law highlights include:

     

     
    • Handheld Cell Phones: 6 states (Calif., Conn., N.J., N.Y.,  Ore. and Wash.), D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers  from using handheld cell phones while driving.  
       
      • Except for Washington, these laws are primary  enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell  phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
       
    • All Cell Phone Use: No state completely bans all types of  cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for all drivers, but many prohibit cell  phone use by some drivers:  
       
      • Novice Drivers: 21 states and the District of Columbia ban  all cell use by novice drivers.  
      • School Bus Drivers: In 17 states and the District of  Columbia, school bus drivers are prohibited from all cell phone use when  passengers are present.
       
    • Text Messaging: 19 states, the District of Columbia and  Guam now ban text messaging for all drivers. 15 states, D.C., and Guam have  primary enforcement. In the other four, texting bans for all drivers are  secondarily enforced. Some states limit texting by specific drivers:  
       
      • Novice Drivers: 9 states prohibit text messaging by novice  drivers.  
      • School Bus Drivers: 1 state restricts school bus drivers  from texting while driving.
       
    • Some states, such as Maine, New Hampshire and Utah treat cell phone use and  texting as part of a larger distracted driving issue. Utah considers cellphone use to be an offense only if a  driver is also committing some other moving violation (other than speeding).  

     

    Crash Data Collection: Many states include a category for  cell phone/electronic equipment distraction on police accident report forms.  Recently proposed federal legislation would require states to collect this data  in order to qualify for certain federal funding.

     

    Preemption Laws: In states without comprehensive cell phone  or texting bans, many localities have enacted their own distracted driving laws.  However, some states (for example, Fla., Ky., La., Miss., Nev., and Okla.) have  preemption laws that prohibit localities from enacting such bans.
• 09 Mar 10
  

  Josh N
  • <table align="center" border="0" class="size11" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr align="center" bgcolor="#015d7f" class="tableheader" valign="middle"><td rowspan="2">State</td><br/> <td rowspan="2">Handheld Ban</td><br/> <td colspan="2">All Cell Phone Ban</td><br/> <td colspan="3">Text Messaging Ban</td><br/> <td rowspan="2">Crash<br><br/> Data</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#015d7f" class="tableheader" valign="middle"><br/> <td>School Bus Drivers</td><br/> <td>Novice Drivers</td><br/> <td>All<br><br/> Drivers</td><br/> <td>School Bus Drivers</td><br/> <td>Novice Drivers</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/al.html">Alabama</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ak.html">Alaska</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/az.html">Arizona</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ar.html">Arkansas</a></td><br/> <td>18 - 20 years old (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Secondary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ca.html">California</a></td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Secondary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/co.html">Colorado</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ct.html">Connecticut</a></td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td align="left">Learners Permit and &lt;18<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/de.html">Delaware</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td align="left">Learner's permit and intermediate license holders<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">Learner's permit and intermediate license holders<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/dc.html">D.C.</a></td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td align="left">Learners Permit<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/fl.html">Florida</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ga.html">Georgia</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/gu.html">Guam</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/hi.html">Hawaii</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/id.html">Idaho</a> ^{<a rel="nofollow" href="#6">1</a>}</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>See footnote</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/il.html">Illinois</a> ^{<a rel="nofollow" href="#1">2</a>}</td><br/> <td align="left">See footnote</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&lt;19<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td align="center" colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/in.html">Indiana</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ia.html">Iowa</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ks.html">Kansas</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">Learner or Intermediate License<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">Learner or Intermediate License<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ky.html">Kentucky</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/la.html">Louisiana</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Secondary)<em><br><br/> (eff. 4/10)<br><br/> </em></td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Secondary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/me.html">Maine</a> ^{<a rel="nofollow" href="#3">3</a>}</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/md.html">Maryland</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">&lt;18 w/ Learner or Provisional License<br><br/> (Secondary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td align="center" colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ma.html">Massachusetts</a></td><br/> <td align="left">&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/mi.html">Michigan</a> ^{<a rel="nofollow" href="#4">4</a>}</td><br/> <td align="left">&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">See footnote</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/mn.html">Minnesota</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td align="left">&lt;18 w/ Learner or Provisional License<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ms.html">Mississippi</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">Learner or Provisional License<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/mo.html">Missouri</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td><u>&lt;</u>21<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/mt.html">Montana</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ne.html">Nebraska</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">&lt;18 w/ Learners or Provisional License<br><br/> (Secondary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">&lt;18 w/ Learners or Provisional License<br><br/> (Secondary)</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/nv.html">Nevada</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/nh.html">New Hampshire</a> ^{<a rel="nofollow" href="#5">5</a>}</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/nj.html">New Jersey</a></td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td align="left">&lt;21 w/ GDL or Provisional License<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/nm.html">New Mexico</a></td><br/> <td align="left">In State vehicles</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ny.html">New York</a></td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Secondary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/nc.html">North Carolina</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/nd.html">North Dakota</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/oh.html">Ohio</a></td><br/> <td align="left">&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ok.html">Oklahoma</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/or.html">Oregon</a></td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/pa.html">Pennsylvania</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ri.html">Rhode Island</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/sc.html">South Carolina</a> ^{<a rel="nofollow" href="#6">6</a>}</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>See footnote</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/sd.html">South Dakota</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/tn.html">Tennessee</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td align="left">Learners Permit or Intermediate License<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/tx.html">Texas</a> ^{<a rel="nofollow" href="#6">7</a>}</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">Yes, w/ passenger <u>&lt;</u>17<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td align="left">Intermediate Stage, 1st 12 mos.<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">Yes, w/ passenger <u>&lt;</u>17<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td align="left">Intermediate Stage, 1st 12 mos.<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/ut.html">Utah</a> ^{<a rel="nofollow" href="#7">8</a>}</td><br/> <td align="left">See footnote</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Primary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/vt.html">Vermont</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/vi.html">Virgin Islands</a></td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/va.html">Virginia</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&lt;18<br><br/> (Secondary)</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/>(Secondary)</td><br/> <td>Covered under all driver ban<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/wa.html">Washington</a></td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Secondary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes<br><br/> (Secondary)</td><br/> <td colspan="2">Covered under all driver ban</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/wv.html">West Virginia</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">Learner or Intermediate Stage<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td align="left">Learner or Intermediate Stage<br><br/> (Primary)</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/wi.html">Wisconsin</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td align="left"><a rel="nofollow" href="/html/stateinfo/bystate/wy.html">Wyoming</a></td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>&nbsp;</td><br/> <td>Yes</td><br/> </tr><br/> <tr align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign="top"><br/> <td><strong>Total</strong></td><br/> <td><strong>6 + D.C., Virgin Islands</strong><br><br/> <br><br/> Primary (5)<br><br/>Secondary (1)</td><br/> <td><strong>17 + D.C.<br><br/> </strong>All Primary</td><br/> <td><strong>21 + D.C.<br><br/> </strong>Primary (15 + D.C.)<br><br/> Secondary (6) </td><br/> <td><strong>19 + D.C., Guam<br><br/> </strong>Primary (15 + D.C., Guam)<br><br/> Secondary (4)</td><br/> <td><strong>1</strong><br><br/> Primary</td><br/> <td><strong>9<br><br/> </strong>Primary (8)<br><br/> Secondary (1) </td><br/> <td><strong>34 + D.C., Virgin Islands</strong></td><br/> </tr><br/> </tbody></table><br/> <span class="x-small">^{<a rel="nofollow" name="1"></a>1} Idaho has a "Distraction in/on Vehicle (List)" attribute as part of its Contributing Circumstances element, and officers are supposed to list the distractions in the narrative.<br><br/> ^{<a rel="nofollow" name="2"></a>2} Illinois bans the use of cell phones while driving in a school zone or in a highway construction zone.<br><br/> ^{<a rel="nofollow" name="3"></a>3} Maine has passed a law making it against the law to drive while distracted in the state.<br><br/> ^{<a rel="nofollow" name="4"></a>4} In Michigan, teens with probationary licenses whose cell phone usage contributes to a traffic crash or ticket may not use a cell phone while driving.<br><br/> ^{<a rel="nofollow" name="5"></a>5} Dealt with as a distracted driving issue; New Hampshire enacted a comprehensive distracted driving law.<br><br/> ^{<a rel="nofollow" name="6"></a>6} South Carolina has a Distracted/inattention attribute under Contributing Factors.<br><br/> ^{<a rel="nofollow" name="7"></a>7} Texas has banned the use of hand-held phones and texting in school zones.<br><br/> ^{<a rel="nofollow" name="8"></a>8} Utah's law defines careless driving as committing a moving violation (other than speeding) while distracted by use of a handheld cellphone or other activities not related to driving.</span><br/> <p></p><br/> <p>Sources: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.iihs.org/" target="_blank">Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)</a> and <a rel="nofollow" href="/html/links/shsos.html">State Highway Safety Offices</a>.</p>
• 03 Mar 10
  

  J. J. DiUbaldi

  Updated monthly?

  list USA mobile law reference safety auto phone

• 28 Feb 10
  

  Carol Furchner

  Feb 2010 status of cell phone bans, by state

  attention multitasking psychology cell-phone

• 15 Feb 10
  

  deandra binder
  • hibit all drivers from talking on handheld
  • shington), the District of Columbia and the Virgin
  • ing. 
     
    • With the exception of Washington State, these laws are all primary en
  • sing a handheld cell phone while driving without any other traffic offense taking plac
  • • • Novice Drivers: 21 states and the District of Columbia ban all cell use by novice drivers.
       
      • School Bus Drivers: In 17 states and the District of Columbia, school bus drivers are prohibited from all cell phone use when passengers are present.
       
       
     
    • Text Messaging: 19 states, the District of Columbia and Guam now ban text messaging for all drivers. Fifteen states, D.C., and Guam have primary enforcement. In the other four states, all driver texting bans are secondarily enforced. Some states have limited texting bans. 
  • • • Novice Drivers: 9 states prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
       
      • School Bus Drivers: 1 state restricts school bus drivers from texting while driving.
       
       
     
    • Local Laws: While this chart addresses only statewide laws, many local jurisdictions have enacted cell phone and/or texting while driving bans. However, 8 states have preemption laws that prohibit local jurisdictions from enacting such restrictions.
     
    • Some states, such as Maine, New Hampshire and Utah treat cell phone use as a larger distracted driving issue. 
       
      • Utah considers speaking on a cellphone to be an offense only if a

  4 more annotations...

• 11 Feb 10
  

  emily scully
  • 6 states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington), the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones while driving.
• 05 Feb 10
  

  Paul Perperiadis

  The chart below lists all current state cell phone driving laws. Some states ban cell phone use by young drivers or school bus drivers. A few ban anyone from driving while using a handheld cell phone.

  laws driving

• 03 Feb 10
  

  Russell Palmer

  mobile

• 25 Jan 10
  

  Christopher janaski

  texting laws driving cell

  • • Handheld Cell Phone Bans for All Drivers: 6 states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington), the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones while driving. 
       
      • With the exception of Washington State, these laws are all primary enforcement—an officer may ticket a driver for using a handheld cell phone while driving without any other traffic offense taking place.
       
       
     
    • All Cell Phone Bans: No state completely bans all types of cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for all drivers, but many prohibit cell phone use by certain segments of the population. 
       
      • Novice Drivers: 21 states and the District of Columbia ban all cell use by novice drivers.
• 14 Jan 10
  

  Tamara Thompson

  "Cell Phone Driving Laws
  January 2010"

  cell phone driving laws

• 07 Dec 09
  

  Audrie Morse
  • Handheld Cell Phone Bans for All Drivers: 6 states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington), the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones while driving. 
     
    • With the exception of Washington State, these laws are all primary enforcement—an officer may ticket a driver for using a handheld cell phone while driving without any other traffic offense taking place.
  • Text Messaging: 19 states, the District of Columbia and Guam now ban text messaging for all drivers. 
     
    • Novice Drivers: 9 states prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
• 22 Nov 09
  

  Joanne Finnegan

  cellphone-statistics

• 12 Nov 09
  

  sarah lynne g

  work safety

  • Cell Phone Driving Laws
• 27 Oct 09
  

  Kelli Moseley
• 25 Oct 09
  

  Holly Dilatush

  cellphoneLAWSbanWhileDriving cellphones

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