Driving Distractions Laws

Driving while using a hand-held cell phone is illegal in some states.

Driving while distracted is dangerous, and most states have laws against it. AAA estimates that between 4,000 and 8,000 automobile accidents occur daily due to distractions, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports driving distractions may have contributed to more than 5,000 deaths in 2009.

Electronic Distractions

Eight states that prohibit hand-held cell phones while driving include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington. For novice drivers, 28 states ban all cell-phone use. Depending on the state, this may apply to anyone with a learner's permit or drivers under a certain age. Thirty states and Washington D.C. now ban text-messaging while driving.

Other Distractions

A Network of Employers for Traffic Safety study found that the top two accident-causing distractions for drivers are dropping something on the floor of the car and spilling a beverage. Nearly all states have general laws that make it illegal to do anything that impairs your ability to drive safely. Specific activities such as eating, adjusting the radio or applying make-up are not outlawed unless they lead to negligent driving.

Enforcement

The majority of states with cell-phone driving bans have set primary offenses that include stopping -- and even ticketing -- drivers without another traffic violation. Fines are more than $100 in some states, whereas in other locations, tickets issued only in case of an accident. Be aware of the laws in any state where you drive.

References

• Governors Highway Safety Association: Cell Phone and Texting Laws
• AAA Exchange: Distracted Driving
• FindLaw: Distracted Driving
• DrivingLaws.org: Distracted Driving Accidents