Distracted Driving Laws in the United States
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Hands-Free Driving Laws

Hands Free, Text Messaging, and Cell Phone Driving Laws

Distracted Driving Laws in the United States

Go To U.S. DUI Laws  or  SR22 Insurance

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Dialing, Texting and Driving

July 2009 Update

The states listed below have all added new distracted driving laws in 2009. These links will take you to our 2009 New Driving Laws page. Currently, 14 States and Washington DC have banned text messaging for drivers of all ages. Other states such as Colorado and Oregon have new Hands Free Laws going into effect in 2009. Other states such as Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Utah have all banned Texting while driving. There are still new bills waiting to be signed by the Governor in Illinois and Oregon.

Arkansas | Colorado | Connecticut | Illinois | Maryland | Maine | North Carolina |

Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Virginia |

Hands Free Device Information

Hands-free devices include bluetooth headsets, wired headsets and car kits. Your cellular phone must be bluetooth compatible to use with a bluetooth device. Wired headsets only require a head phone connection with your cellular device and provide a cost effective way to become hands-free. If you need more information on bluetooth or, how to become hands-free, please see our "Being Hands-Free" page.

Hands-Free Laws Across the United States

Hands-free driving laws are going into effect across the United States and some states will be banning cell-phone use while driving completely. Last year California had 2 new laws that went into effect on July 1st, 2008. One of the laws (SB1613) allows a driver to use a cell-phone if there is a hands-free device used. The other California driving law is Senate Bill 33 (SB33). Senate Bill 33 bans drivers under the age of 18 from using any type of wireless device in a moving vehicle.

Washington State also had a new driving law enacted called House Bill 1214 (HB1214), the driving law bans cell phone use while driving and went into effect in July of 2008. The other recent law in Washington State banned text messaging on January 1st, 2008. You can read more about the Washington State cell-phone law on our Washington State Page.

Long time hands-free laws have been in effect for years in states such as New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Connecticut. If you are interested in reading more about these laws please use one of the links above.

Our New Teen Driving Laws Pages

We have recently completed our Teen Driving Laws pages for all 50 States. These teen specific pages document the graduated license systems and programs across the United States. The pages outline teen driving limitations, restrictions and fines for teen related offenses. In addition there are also links back to the State websites where the documentation was gathered. To visit these pages please go to Teen Driving Laws and Insurance Requirements in the United States.