Are there laws prohibiting talking on a cell phone while driving?

Cell phone laws

States across the country are examining the correlation between driving while using a cell phone and automobile accidents. Though there is no federal law in place to ban or restrict cell phone usage while driving, several states have implemented such ordinances as of November 2007.

Sixteen states plus Washington, DC, all have special driving laws restricting cell phone usage of novice drivers. Thirteen states and Washington, DC have laws banning school bus drivers from all cell phone use while passengers are on board.

Several states, including Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, have laws in place prohibiting driving while talking on handheld cell phones. Two more states, California and Washington, have similar laws that will go into affect in 2008. Washington also became the first state to prohibit driving while texting.

To find out the exact cell phone driving laws in your state and keep up with the latest news on such laws, please visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.