New Traffic Safety Devices Detect Distracted Driving in DC
There are two new mobile traffic safety devices that will be used to detect distracted driving and flash a warning to drivers in D.C.
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.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No, except in work zones.
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 18 with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. 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.
All drivers, while vehicle is in motion. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Secondary law.
All drivers. Secondary law.
No
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
No
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
All drivers. Secondary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers with learner or provisional license. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers with permit or provisional license. Primary law.
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.
All drivers. Secondary law.
No
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18 with learner or intermediate license. Secondary law.
No
No
No
No
Yes. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023)
Yes. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023)
No
For drivers 21 and under. Primary law.
All drivers. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023)
No
Yes. Primary law.
No
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers with learner under 18 or provisional licenses. Primary law.
Yes (effective June 30, 2023)
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. 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.
No
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers with restricted or intermediate license. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 21. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 19. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary Law.
Yes. Primary Law.
No
All drivers. Primary law.
School and work zones only. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers with learner's permit. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers with learner or intermediate licence. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Secondary law.
School and work zones only. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Secondary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Yes, for instruction and intermediate permit holders under 18. Secondary Law.
All drivers. Primary law.
No
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Secondary Law.
Yes
16, or 17 with Intermediate License for less than 6 months. Primary law.
There are two new mobile traffic safety devices that will be used to detect distracted driving and flash a warning to drivers in D.C.
The technology boom that turned mobile devices into permanent companions wherever we go also impacted how we drive our cars, and a recent study proves that mobile addiction also fuels distracted driving. A report published by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) highlights a worrying picture. Many drivers can't leave their phones behind when getting behind the wheel, so they continue to use their apps, often taking their eyes off the road.
Traffic deaths declined in the U.S. in 2023 by 3.6% compared with the prior year, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates released April 1. With 40,990 traffic deaths, last year was the third in a row that fatalities exceeded 40,000.NHTSA also released new data on distracted driving and launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of driving while distracted.
Highway safety regulators are kicking off a new campaign to reduce distracted driving, particularly targeting younger drivers who are the most likely to die in distraction-related crashes. Distracted driving dropped by an average of 6.6% in Michigan, Ohio and other states after they passed hands-free laws, according to the research, released last week by the Governors Highway Safety Association and Cambridge Mobile Telematics.
After the implementation of hands-free laws, distracted driving fell in four states. An analysis of data from Alabama, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio following legislation to prevent holding a cellphone while driving found that hands-free laws made a positive impact. Those are the highlights of a new report released on Thursday by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit organization representing state highway safety offices, and Cambridge Mobile Telematics.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) released a report Thursday that offers recommendations to address a growing concern when it comes to road safety — distracted driving caused by smartphone use. The report suggests states implement a multi-faceted approach that includes the adoption of strong and clear laws, which CMT says its research confirms has a positive impact on distraction rates.
GHSA and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) today released a new report addressing the growing concern over smartphone-induced distracted driving. The report proposes states implement a multi-faceted approach to improve road safety that includes the adoption of strong and clear laws, which CMT research confirms have a positive impact on distraction rates.
Driver assistance technologies are increasingly included in new vehicles. But drivers who don't understand these technologies may increase their risk of accidents by turning off safety features or over-relying on convenience features.
March 28, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2024
Contacts: Adam Snider (GHSA), 202-580-7930, 202-365-8971 (after hours)
Lisa-Marie Pascuccio (CMT)
Governors Highway Safety Association, Cambridge Mobile Telematics release "A Road Map for Safer Roads" to highlight comprehensive strategies to combat distracted driving
On Monday, April 1, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office is launching “Operation Hands Free” to crack down on violators of Tennessee’s Hands Free Law during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The THSO is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement in this statewide effort to crack down on distracted driving. “Since 2017, we’ve been working with agencies statewide to localize this effort, and now it’s become a common practice," said THSO Director Buddy Lewis.