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- State laws regarding the use of headphones while driving vary across the United States.
- Some states, such as Georgia and Pennsylvania, allow the use of a single earbud for calls.
- In states like California, Louisiana, and Washington, it is completely illegal to wear headphones while driving.
As technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives, drivers are increasingly using headphones and earbuds for communication and entertainment while on the road.
State laws vary when it comes to using headphones while driving, but the USA TODAY Cars team looked into which states have laws against driving with headphones or earbuds in, and which states allow at least some level of phone calls. Here’s what we found:
In which states is it legal to wear one earbud or headphone during a call?
- georgia
- pennsylvania
- rhode island
In which states is it illegal to wear headphones?
According to the Thompson Act, it is completely illegal if:
- California
- louisiana
- maryland
- minnesota
- virginia
- washington
Regulators warn against distracted driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that 3,275 traffic deaths in 2023 will be caused by distracted driving. The agency defines distracted driving as “any activity that distracts from the task of driving safely, such as talking on a cell phone, texting, eating or drinking, talking to others in the vehicle, or operating the stereo, entertainment, or navigation system.”
The National Transportation Safety Board agrees, stating, “Hands-free is not without risk. Using devices hands-free does not reduce driver distraction. In fact, drivers are still distracted by conversations, a phenomenon known as “cognitive distraction.”
The NTSB states on its website, “Many drivers believe they can multitask and still safely operate a vehicle. However, multitasking is a myth. Humans can only focus their cognitive attention on one task at a time, so the driving task should be the driver’s sole focus.”
As technology evolves, so do traffic laws, so drivers need to stay informed to avoid fines and stay safely behind the wheel.
Vanessa Countryman is a trending topics reporter for Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Please email her at Vcountryman@gannett.cometers. Keith Laing is an automotive reporter for Nashville Local South Content. Email klaing@gannett.com.
