Public Forums Aimed to Reduce Road Deaths Coming to Delaware
The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) has announced a series of public forums across Delaware to work with residents to decrease road fatalities in the state.
Delaware
GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Delaware. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Delaware
Bike helmets required?
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 18.
Delaware
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Helmets required for all riders under 19 and (effective 7/30/2023) all riders for two years after receiving a motorcycle endorsement. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
Delaware
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
8 years
Delaware
Provisions for Mature Drivers
None
Delaware
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs
Zero tolerance for some drugs
Delaware
Marijuana Possession and Use
Decriminalized and legal for medical use
Delaware
Marijuana Impaired Driving
Zero tolerance for THC and metabolites
Delaware
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)
65
Delaware
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
65
Delaware
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)
55
Delaware
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
55
Delaware
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)
65
Delaware
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)
65
Delaware
Increased penalty for high BAC
0.15
Delaware
Administrative license suspension on first offense
3 months
Delaware
Limited driving privileges during suspension
No
Delaware
Ignition Interlocks
Highly incentivized for all convictions
Delaware
Open container laws
No
Delaware
Repeat Offender Laws
Yes
Delaware
Child Restraint Required
7 yrs or under and under 66 lbs Under 12 yrs and under 65' in rear seat
(effective 6/30/2024)
Under 2 yrs and under 30 lbs in rear-facing car seat
Under 4 yrs and under 40 lbs in child safety seat
Under 16 in booster seat following manufacturers instructions or seat belt
5'5" or less and under 23 yrs in rear seat
Delaware
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
8-15 yrs or 66 lbs and over
Effective 6/30/2024, 4-16 yrs if exceeded height and weight limit of booster seat
Delaware
Full Privilege Minimum Age
17 years
Delaware
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16
Delaware
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6
Delaware
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
50 (10)
Delaware
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 / 6
Delaware
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
10 p.m. - 6 a.m.
Delaware
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
No more than 1 (law also includes a seat belt provision: if a teen driver w/ permit or their passenger <18 is found unbelted, the permit holder's license suspended for 2 months)
Delaware
In What Seat?
All
Delaware
Type of Law
Primary (civil penalty)
Delaware
Who is Covered?
16 and over
Delaware
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Delaware
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Delaware
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or intermediate licence. Primary law.
Delaware
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Delaware
Speed Cameras: State Law
None
Delaware
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted
n/a
Delaware
Red Light Cameras: State Law
Permitted by state law
Delaware
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted
Statewide
More Pedestrians Killed in Crashes in 2020 Despite Less Traffic Amid the Pandemic
The number of pedestrians killed in vehicle crashes rose in 2020, despite fewer cars on the road amid the pandemic.
More Pedestrians Killed in Crashes in 2020 Despite Less Traffic Amid the Pandemic
Story by Amanda Maile and Mina Kaji
May 20, 2021
GHSA and Distracted Driving Survivor Advocates Team Up to Reinforce the Need for Comprehensive Approach to Driver Inattention
GHSA and StopDistractions.org are teaming up to reinforce the critical role of equitable enforcement in effectively combating distracted driving.
GHSA and Distracted Driving Survivor Advocates Team Up to Reinforce the Need for Comprehensive Approach to Driver Inattention
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2021
CONTACT: Adam Snider, 202-580-7930
202-365-8971 (after hours)
States Receive New Federal Drugged Driving Grants
Through federal funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GHSA is pleased to announce that six states have received funding to help law enforcement better address drug-impaired driving.
Ford DSFL Teen Driving Grant Results: Delaware
With funding from Ford Driving Skills for Life and GHSA, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety co-hosted a Global Youth Traffic Safety Month event with the National Transportation Safety Board.
States Receive Funds to Tackle Teen Driver Safety
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2018
CONTACT: Madison Forker, mforker@ghsa.org
202-789-0942 x120
Delaware, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, and Tennessee Awarded More than $70,000
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Ford Driving Skills for Life (Ford DSFL) have awarded State Highway Safety Offices in five states funding to support teen safe driving programs.
Georgia Takes Action on Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed H.B. 673 into law, making the state the 16th to ban handheld wireless device phone use behind the wheel.
Bicycle Helmet Laws: Delaware
Bike helmets required?
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 18.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws: Delaware
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Helmets required for all riders under 19 and (effective 7/30/2023) all riders for two years after receiving a motorcycle endorsement. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.