Many states prohibit or restrict cellular phone usage by drivers.
As cellular phone usage has increased in the past decade so have problems involving cell-phone usage. While 52 countries around the world--from the United Kingdom to Zimbabwe--restrict cellular usage by drivers, the U.S. government has so far left cellular regulation up to the states, resulting in a patchwork bundle of differing restrictions by localities. Because states frequently amend their laws, cell phone regulation is ever-changing; here are restrictions as of June 2010.
Handheld Ban for Drivers
No state has instituted a blanket ban on cellular phone use by drivers, though 10 states and providences--California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah, Washington and the Virgin Islands--prohibit drivers from using a cell phone without a hands-free device. In all those states, save Maryland and Utah, it’s a primary offense, which gives police cause to pull you over and issue a ticket if you’re caught using a handheld phone while you drive.
Young Drivers Ban
Because young drivers and those with a recently issued license are still developing their driving skills and are more easily distracted, most states enacted all-cellular driving bans for teens and/or new drivers, outlawing even the use of hands-free devices by these drivers. States with an all-cell phone ban for young drivers include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
Texting Ban
Thirty-three states have banned text messaging and other types of data entry for drivers, either for provisional drivers or across the board, with the majority of these states enforcing it as a primary offense. These states include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Situational Handheld Bans
While Texas and Illinois don’t enforce a blanket handheld ban for drivers, it’s illegal to use a handheld device in a school zone in both states, and in a construction zone in Illinois.
In Flight
The Federal Aviation Administration has banned cellular phone use in all flights while in the air. If the carrier permits it, passengers may use their phones while the plane is on the ground or use them to play games if a phone has an "airplane mode."
Tags: cellular phone, District Columbia, Arkansas California, Arkansas California Colorado, California Colorado, California Colorado Connecticut