Distracted Driving
The chart below describes the statewide laws related to distracted driving across the country. Use the arrows below the chart to toggle through the states in alphabetical order. To advance slowly, click the single right arrow (>). To jump to the end, click the double arrows (>>). Or use the filter by state feature to jump to a specific state.
Scroll down for a summary overall totals of the number of states that have specific provisions.
Last updated in June 2024. Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2024.
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Secondary Law. |
Hand-Held Ban?
No |
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law. |
Hand-Held Ban?
School and work zones only. Primary law. |
| All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes |
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No |
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law. |
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law. |
| All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
16, or 17 with Intermediate License for less than 6 months. Primary law. |
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No |
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Yes, for instruction and intermediate permit holders under 18. Secondary Law. |
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Secondary law. |
| Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law. |
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law. |
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law. |
Text Messaging Ban?
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.
No
No
No
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.
School and work zones only. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 18. Secondary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Distracted Driving
This chart outlines state distracted driving laws. Some localities have additional regulations. Enforcement type is also noted.
- Handheld Cellphone Use: 30 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving. All but Alabama and Missouri are primary enforcement laws — an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cellphone without any other traffic offense taking place.
- All Cellphone Use: No state bans all cellphone use for all drivers, but 36 states and D.C. ban all cellphone use by novice drivers, and 25 states and D.C. prohibit it for school bus drivers.
- Text Messaging: Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 49 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but six have primary enforcement.
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.
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 (SHSOs).
Last updated in June 2024. Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2024.