U.S. Traffic Deaths Reach 16-Year High
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported today that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021 – the most since 2005 and an average of 117 deaths every day.
This chart outlines state distracted driving laws. Some localities have additional regulations. Enforcement type is also noted.
Crash Data Collection: All states except two (Connecticut and New Hampshire) include at least one category for distraction on police crash report forms, although the specific data collected varies.
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.
A PDF chart of state distracted driving laws is available for download here.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on distracted driving laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.
Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.
Last updated in July 2023. Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2023.
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
No, except in work zones.
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 18 with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
Yes. Primary law.
Yes, in school crossing zones and on public school property only. Primary law.
Yes, with minor passengers. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
All drivers, while vehicle is in motion. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Secondary law.
All drivers. Secondary law.
No
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
All drivers. Secondary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers with learner or provisional license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers with permit or provisional license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
No
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18 with learner or intermediate license. Secondary law.
All drivers. Secondary law.
No
No
No
No
No
For drivers 21 and under. Primary law.
All drivers. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023)
Yes. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023)
Yes. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023)
No
Yes. Primary law.
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers with learner under 18 or provisional licenses. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes (effective June 30, 2023)
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers with learner or intermediate license, regardless of age. Drivers in school zones. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers with restricted or intermediate license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 21. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers under 19. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary Law.
Yes. Primary Law.
School and work zones only. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers with learner's permit. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers with learner or intermediate licence. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Secondary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
School and work zones only. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Secondary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes, for instruction and intermediate permit holders under 18. Secondary Law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Secondary Law.
Yes
16, or 17 with Intermediate License for less than 6 months. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported today that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021 – the most since 2005 and an average of 117 deaths every day.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported today that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021 – the most since 2005 and an average of 117 deaths every day.
“It’s about being able to leverage technology, & A.I. in this case, to help us better understand what people are doing behind the wheel that potentially puts themselves & others at risk,” said Pam Shadel Fischer, senior director of external engagement for the Governors Highway Safety Association.
As part of their response to a yearslong rise in highway deaths, national and state organizations are taking aim at distracted driving, hoping to reduce what one official called “a plague on our roads.”
One of the country’s leading traffic safety organizations is partnering with a major automotive manufacturer to help cut down on distracted driving.
With Distracted Driving Awareness Month kicking off on April 1, the Governors Highway Safety Association and General Motors are proud to announce the development of an action-oriented, recommendation-rich report that will take a new look at distracted driving, with expected publication this summer.
With Distracted Driving Awareness Month kicking off on April 1, GHSA and General Motors are proud to announce the development of an action-oriented, recommendation-rich report that will take a new look at distracted driving, with expected publication this summer.
Grim statistics released Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirm what safety officials have been saying all along: 2020 was the deadliest year on the nation's roads since 2007.
Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 31,720 people were killed on U.S. roadways in the first nine months of 2021, a record 12% increase from the same period last year.
Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 31,720 people were killed on U.S. roadways in the first nine months of 2021, a record 12% increase from the same period last year.