The New Form of Distracted Driving
Cheap gas and open roads made me want to suggest we bring back the Sunday drive — here's why I can't.
The New Form of Distracted Driving
Story by Lorraine Sommerfeld
March 23, 2020
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.
Cheap gas and open roads made me want to suggest we bring back the Sunday drive — here's why I can't.
Story by Lorraine Sommerfeld
March 23, 2020
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