While there are now 40 states that ban texting while driving—Hawaii is the latest addition—there are still just 11 states that prohibit hand-held cell phones for all drivers.
Hawaii restricts both kinds of cell phone use, but that’s not the case in Alabama, for example. Drivers there can talk on a hand-held cell phone behind the wheel, unless they are considered a “novice driver.” Alabama doesn’t allow any drivers to text while driving, however.
The Governors Highway Safety Association notes on its website that “texting bans by themselves can be difficult to enforce. In states with texting but not hand-held bans, a driver may claim they were dialing a phone number when stopped by a police officer.”
Still, some states, such as Florida and Montana, do not have any restrictions on cell phone use while driving.
Headed out for a multi-state trip? Check out this GHSA chart/map on the key traffic laws in every state.
(Journal News/LoHud.com file photo)
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