Distracted driving is a significant public health and safety issue, particularly as the prevalence of new communication technologies increases the potential for driving distracted.
Although lawmakers at the state, federal and local levels are examining a wide variety of issues related to driver distraction, the most common concern is the potential distraction caused by cell phones and other technology in the car. More than 220 million people in the United States subscribe to wireless services, and it is estimated that as many as 80%of those subscribers use their phones while driving.
States primarily use hand-held and texting bans to combat distracted driving. Hand-held bans are laws that allow the use of mobile devices while driving only in hands-free mode—usually through voice communication or by activating with a single tap or swipe. A growing number of states also include a prohibition to access, view or read non-navigation related content. Texting bans prohibit drivers from typing or sending text messages while driving but allow talking on a hand-held mobile device. Many of these bans provide for various exemptions, including for emergencies, law enforcement and first responders.
NCSL's Power BIDistracted Driving charts provide a detailedoverview of current laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia:
- Hand-held cellphone use ban: 29 states, D.C., Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cellphones while driving.
- Ohio prohibits hand-held cell phone or electronic device use while driving. However, drivers are still allowed to swipe their phones to answer calls and hold them to their ears during a conversation.
- All cellphone ban: No state bans all cellphone use for all drivers, but 36 states and D.C. ban all cellphone use by novice or teen drivers, and 20 states and D.C. prohibit any cellphone use for school bus drivers.
- Text messaging ban: 49 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers.
- Other states prohibithand-held cellphone or all cellphoneuse by all or certain drivers in certain zones.
Cell Phone Use and Texting While Driving Laws
- Nearly 303 million people in the United States have cell phones. At any given moment during the daylight hours, more than 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.
- In 2018, approximately 2,841people in this country died in crashes that involved a distracted driver, and an estimated additional 400,000 people were injured.
- A study by AAA revealed that electronics use is the leading source of distraction for teen drivers.
- The federal surface transportation reauthorization, known as the FAST Act,contains incentive grant provisions for states if they pass distracted driving laws that meet certain criteria.
States are eligible to apply for a Distracted Driving Grant if they have enacted and are enforcing:
- Primary law prohibiting texting while driving with a minimum fine for a first violation and increased fines for subsequent offenses. The law must not provide for an exemption to allow texting while stopped in traffic.
- Primary law prohibiting youth under age 18 from using a cell phone while driving, with minimum fine and increased fines for subsequent violations, and requiring distracted driving issues to be included in the state driver’s license exam.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, CTIA-The Wireless Association, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
FAQs
“Don't tempt fate, that text can wait”
This is a common slogan used by various people and organizations when running anti-texting and driving movements.
What is the 2 second rule for distracted driving? ›
The allotted two-seconds is a safety buffer, to allow the following driver time to respond. The practice has been shown to considerably reduce the risk of collision and also the severity of any injuries if a collision occurs. It also helps to avoid tailgating and road rage for all drivers.
How long are you distracted when you send an answer to a text message? ›
Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention.
What are the 3 types of distractions for distracted driving? ›
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts your attention from driving. There are 3 types of distracted driving. These are visual, which is taking eyes off the road, manual, which is taking one or both hands off the wheel, and cognitive, when the drivers' attention is taken away from driving.
What is a good quote about distractions? ›
That's not a manufactured thing; it's just the way I live. I need distractions. Good distractions, not bad ones. A good distraction for me is a great play.
What are 5 examples of distracted driving? ›
Driving Distractions Study
- Using electronic devices.
- Reaching for an object inside the vehicle.
- Looking at an object or event outside of the vehicle.
- Eating.
- Applying cosmetics (makeup).
Which of the following is considered distracted driving? ›
Sending a text message, talking on a cell phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving are a few examples of distracted driving. Any of these distractions can endanger you, your passengers, and others on the road.
What is the average reaction time for a driver distracted by texting? ›
The typical reaction time without texting was between one and two seconds, but while texting it increased to three to four seconds, regardless of whether the driver was typing or reading a text. The researchers also found that a texting driver was 11 times more likely to miss the flashing light.
How far is 5 seconds at 55 mph? ›
A person driving at 55 m.p.h. would cover 80.7 feet per second. Multiply that by 5 and the person would drive 403 feet over 5 seconds -- or more than the 300 feet or 360 feet length of a football field.
Which type of driver distraction is texting? ›
Physical distractions, also known as manual distractions, is anytime you take one or both your hands off the steering wheel while driving. This can include, eating and drinking, texting, searching for items that fell underneath the driver seat, or reaching for items in the passenger or back seat.
Stay Calm and Maintain Distance – Encountering a distracted driver can be unnerving, but it's essential to stay calm and composed. The first step is to maintain a safe distance from the distracted driver's vehicle.
What are 3 dangers of distracted driving? ›
Why is Distracted Driving a Problem? Distractions take a motorist's attention off driving, which can make a driver miss critical events, objects, and cues or abandon control of a vehicle, all potentially leading to a crash.
What is the pledge against distracted driving? ›
For my friends, my family, and anyone else who may have fond feelings toward me, I pledge not to drive distracted or recklessly. For every person I may never meet, but share the road with, I pledge to give driving the 100% attention it deserves.
What are some safety quotes while driving? ›
Road Safety Slogans in English
- “Road Safety, Our Priority.”
- “Safety First, Speed Second.”
- “Your Family Awaits, Drive Safely.”
- “Slow Down, Save Lives.”
- “Don't Text and Drive, Arrive Alive.”
- “Seatbelts: Buckle Up for Safety!”
- “Pedestrians, Cross with Caution.”
- “No Drinking and Driving, Be Responsible.”
What is the saying about driving slow? ›
Leave Sooner, Drive Slower, Live Longer.
Remember, leaving sooner, driving slower, and staying alert can significantly contribute to a longer and safer life on the road.
What are we driving quotes? ›
Top 10 Driving Quotes
- Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead. ...
- Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer. ...
- Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly. ...
- Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car.