Distracted Driving Laws

No matter which roads you use, drivers across the country must understand the dangers and the laws surrounding distracted driving. It's also critical to understand how these rules change as you travel across the US. Though some states only charge fines for each offense, others can issue jail time or points on your license.

We'll walk you through some major factors you need to know about distracted driving laws in the US. You'll also want to get in touch with your independent insurance agent to double-check your car insurance policy. But for starters, here's a state-by-state guide to distracted driving laws.

What Qualifies as Distracted Driving?

Though texting and the use of cell phones tend to be the focus when thinking of distracted driving, the reality is that these factors only make up a small percentage of the problem. Texting can take your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds, and while traveling at 55 mph, that's the equivalent of traveling the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

Texting led to an alarming 3,142 deaths in 2020. But more attention needs to be paid to all types of distracted driving to better protect everyone on and around the road. Here are some of the main types:

Types of Driver Distractions:

• Manual distractions: These involve the driver taking their hands off the wheel. Examples include tuning the radio, eating or drinking, programming a GPS, and smoking.
• Visual distractions: These involve the driver taking their eyes off the road. Examples include looking at a map or GPS, looking for an item in the car, watching an accident or other activity on the side of the road, looking at a cell phone, or adjusting climate controls. 
• Cognitive distractions: These involve the driver taking their mind or focus off the act of driving. Examples include daydreaming or thinking hard while driving, holding a conversation with passengers, driving while crying or enraged, or talking on the phone, even with a hands-free system.

Knowing how each of these activities can detract from your driving performance can help you make the road a safer place for yourself and others.

Which States Have Laws against Distracted Driving?

Currently, every state in the US has a law that prohibits some sort of cell phone usage except for Montana. 

Compare your state to the rest of the US when it comes to texting and driving restrictions  

The dark blue states on this map indicate laws that enforce hands-free cell phone use while driving only. The light blue states ban texting while driving for all drivers. In Missouri, texting while driving is only banned for drivers under the age of 21. In Montana, there are currently no restrictions on cell phone use while driving. 

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Distracted Driving Fines and Penalties across Each State

The fines for violating cell phone usage laws while driving vary by state. The most expensive fines in the US are in Alaska and Utah, while some of the least expensive are in Kentucky and South Carolina. 

Why Is Preventing Distracted Driving So Important?

Since car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the US, and up to 58% of crashes can be attributed to distracted driving, ending this issue is critical. Here are some more shocking distracted driving stats:

• Looking away from the road for just three seconds can cause a crash, and the average text message takes five seconds of your attention.
• Engaging in hazardous activities while driving, such as applying makeup, changing clothes, etc., has been admitted by more than 80% of drivers.
• Listening to a conversation or music can decrease a driver's attention by as much as 40%. 
• Eating while driving can increase your risk of an accident by 80%.
• Getting into an accident is six times more likely while texting than while driving drunk.
• Though 94% of teenagers know that texting while driving is dangerous, 35% of them admit to doing it anyway.
• The FCC reports that at any given time during daylight hours, about 481,000 motorists are using their cell phones.

These eye-opening distracted driving stats can really put into perspective the importance of ending distracted driving behaviors once and for all.

Six Helpful Tips to Keep Yourself from Distracted Driving 

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to keep yourself focused on the road. Follow these helpful tips below to stop yourself from distracted driving behaviors.

1. Limit cell phone use while driving.
2. Use an app to silence all of your phone's notifications while driving.
3. Wait until after you're done driving to eat, schedule plans, find items in your car, etc.
4. Only engage in light conversation with any passengers while driving, and always avoid emotional or upsetting topics while on the road.
5. Ensure that children and pets are properly secured before you start driving.
6. If you must adjust your car's controls, tend to a pet or child, or use your cell phone, pull over to a safe parking spot first.

These tips may sound simple, but following them can have a huge impact, from avoiding fines to saving lives.

What Kinds of Efforts Are Being Made to Stop Distracted Driving?

Since the problem of distracted driving is only getting bigger as time goes on, states create new laws every day to help limit the potential dangers. The US's main focus until now has been banning texting and cell phone use while driving, but more and more states are starting to allow hands-free cell phone usage. Other states, still, are implementing laws to ban eating and other activities while driving.

The US Department of Transportation has also created a website to provide safe driving tips for teen drivers and their parents. Insurance companies are also implementing programs to cut down on distracted teen driving, and many of them have started teen safety programs. Click on the state links above to get more information on measures your state is taking to curb distracted driving.

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Can a Car Insurance Company Cancel Your Coverage if You Get a DUI or Other Driving Offense?

Each state has its own auto insurance cancellation regulations. According to insurance expert Jeffery Green, insurance companies can generally cancel an auto policy for any reason within the first 60 to 90 days as long as they provide notice and a reason. 

After that time, the insurance company can only cancel the policy if there were material misrepresentations on the application, or if the insured’s license was suspended or revoked. An insurance company could cancel your policy if your DUI resulted in a suspended license.

Why Choose an Independent Insurance Agent?

Independent insurance agents simplify the process by shopping and comparing insurance quotes for you. Not only that, but they’ll also cut through the jargon and clarify the fine print so you'll know exactly what you’re getting.

Independent insurance agents also have access to multiple insurance companies, ultimately finding you the best car insurance coverage, accessibility, and competitive pricing while working for you.