Mobile phone use while driving is common, but widely considered dangerous. Due to the number of accidents that are related to cell phone use while driving, some jurisdictions have made the use of a cell phone while driving illegal. Others have enacted laws to ban handheld mobile phone use, but allow use of a hands-free device. In some cases restrictions are directed only to minors or those who are newly qualified license holders.

Studies have shown that drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash. Distracted driving (talking, texting, etc.) is killing 6,000 people every year, with more than 500,000 injured. The State Farm Insurance Company reports that the annual cost of distracted driving due to cell phone use alone is:

636,000 CRASHES

330,000 PERSONAL INJURIES

12,000 MAJOR INJURIES

2,700 DEATHS, AND

$43 BILLION IN DAMAGES

CELL PHONE AND TEXTING LAWS

Cell Phone:

There is a ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers. Novice drivers are defined as those age 16 or 17 with an intermediate license less than 6 months 

Texting: 

There is a ban on texting for all drivers, regardless of age and license status.