Driving and Talking on Cellular Phones::Talking and Driving Ban

Drining and Talking on a Cell Phone is Dangerous

Harvard Center for Risk Analysis
Cellular Phone Use While Driving: Risks and Benefits
"We conclude that although there is evidence that using a cellular phone while driving poses risks to both the driver and others, it may be premature to enact substantial restrictions at this time. We simply do not have enough reliable information on which to base reasonable policy. Industry, government, and academia should rapidly enhance the knowledge base on cellular phone use by motorists and, in the interim, should encourage more selective and prudent use of cellular phones while driving." Lissy, Cohen, Park and Graham, July 2000.

Center for Urban Transportation Research,
College of Engineering, University of Florida
Investigation of the Use of Mobile Phones While Driving
"Research suggests that hands-free use is less dangerous than hand-held use due to the removal of ‘physical distraction’ while placing and receiving calls." Cain and Burris, April 1999.

US States and other Countries that ban cell phones while driving

This page lists those states and countries that have banned the use of a cell phone while driving unless used with some form of hands-free kit.

Country Listing (USA in separate table at the bottom)

Country	Banned	Notes

Australia	Yes	Banned in all states - fines vary though.
Austria	Yes	Fines vary - up to US$22 per incident
Belgium	Yes	Phones can be used without a hands-free unit when the car is stationary - but not while in traffic (such as at traffic lights)
Brazil	Yes	Ban imposed Jan. 2001
Botswana	Being debated	The attorney general is drafting the legislation
Canada	Variable	Banned in Newfoundland (Dec2002) fines up to US$180
Chile	Yes
Czech Republic	Yes
Denmark	Yes	Ban imposed July 1998 - US$60 fine for infringements
Egypt	Yes	Fines of about US$100 per offence.
Finland	Yes	Ban imposed January 2003 - US$55 fine for infringements
France	Yes	No details - but several reports that it is banned
Germany	Yes	Ban imposed Feb. 2001 - usage allowed without a hands-free unit only when the engine is switched off.
Greece	Yes
Hong Kong	Yes
Hungary	Yes	Not often implemented by the police
India - New Delhi	Yes	Ban extended to ban all use of cell phones when driving, including use with a hands-free unit - July 2001
Ireland	Yes	Banned, with a US$380 and/or up to 3 months imprisonment on a third offence. Handsfree kits allowed, although that is subject to review.
Isle of Man	Yes	Banned since July 2000
Israel	Yes
Italy	Yes	Fines of up to US$124 per infraction
Japan	Yes	Ban imposed Nov. 1999
Jersey	Yes	Ban imposed Feb. 1998
Jordan	Yes	Ban imposed Oct. 2001
Kenya	Yes	Ban imposed late 2001
Malaysia	Yes
Netherlands	Yes
New Zealand	Being debated	Under debate - consultation being sought from interested parties
Norway	Yes	Fines of over $600 per infraction
Philippines	Yes
Poland	Yes	Fines can be as high as US$1,000
Portugal	Yes
Romania	Yes
Russia	Yes	Ban imposed by Prime Minister - March 2001
Singapore	Yes
Slovak Republic	Yes
Slovenia	Yes
South Africa	Yes
South Korea	Yes	Ban imposed July 2001 - US$47 fine + 15 points on the license.
Spain	Yes
Sweden	Yes
Switzerland	Yes
Taiwan	Yes	If the driver is using a reflective screen on the car, local privacy laws forbid stopping the car for violating the ban.
Thailand	Yes	Bill proposed in May 2000
Turkey	Yes
Turkmenistan	Yes	Signed into law with effect from May 1st 2003, by President Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy
UK	Yes	Banned from December 2003
Zimbabwe	Yes	Ban imposed in Sept 2001, announced via official news agency only though, so not confirmed

USA states breakdown

State	Banned ?	Notes

National	Being debated	Bills being debated in the Federal government that will override local legislation

Alabama	No
Alaska	No
Arkansas	Partial	School bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone.
Arizona	Partial	A bill to introduce a ban was lost by a 4-3 vote in the Senate Transportation Committee. Bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone
California	No	Bill to introduce ban failed Feb 1998 - car rental companies required to offer guidance on cell phone use. New study requested from Jan 2002 - but failed to move from the Assembly Transportation Committee.
Colorado	No	Bill to introduce ban failed Jan 2000. Bill proposed to ban learner drivers, Jan 2004
Connecticut	Partial	School bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone.
Delaware	No	A driver can already be prosecuted for "inattentive driving" - which can include using a cell phone. Studies into the issue have been requested
District of Columbia	No
Florida	Partial	State Attorney General said that cities can set local regulations - July 2001. Overturned by Governor Bush..
Georgia	No
Hawaii	Being debated	A bill has been introduced in Hawaii's legislature by Sen. Joseph Souki, D-Wailuku-Waiehu.
Idaho	No
Illinois	No	School bus drivers are banned - no other laws.
Indiana	No	Ban proposed by State Sen. Rose Antich Carr - Jan 2004
Iowa	Being debated
Kansas	No	Bill to introduce ban failed in 2000
Kentucky	No
Louisiana	Being debated	Study into the effects of a ban underway
Maine	Partial	Minors and those on learner driving licenses may not use a cell phone while driving
Maryland	No	Bill to ban dropped Feb. 2001. New proposal in the House, proposed by Delegates Arnick and Mandel
Massachusetts	Partial	Bill for most users pending - but bus drivers already banned. Drivers required to keep at least one hand on the steering wheel while holding a phone.
Michigan	No
Minnesota	No
Mississippi	No	Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban.
Missouri	No
Montana	No
Nebraska	No	Bill planned by State Sen. Jim Cudaback - Jan 2004
Nevada	No	State bill to introduce ban failed April 1999. Local bill in Clark County also blocked Nov. 2001. Nevada state passed bill banning local regulations, March 2003.
New Hampshire	Partial	Not explicitly banned, but you can be prosecuted if using a cellphone when involved in an driving accident.
New Jersey	Partial	Banned for school buses. Minors and provisional driving license holders are banned statewide - local total bans in Marboro, Jamesburg and Carteret. State wide ban to come into effect from July 2004
New Mexico	Partial	Being debated - local ban in the city of Santa Fe
New York	Yes	Ban effective from Nov. 2001
North Carolina	Being debated	Study into the effects of cell phone usage while driving being carried out.
North Dakota	No
Ohio	Partial	The City of Cleveland is discussing a ban. Ban in place in Brooklyn.
Oklahoma	No	Bill to introduce ban failed in May 1999. Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban.
Oregon	No	A new bill enacted in Jan 2002 forbids the local governments from implementing their own cell phone ban.
Pennsylvania	Partial	Local cities have their own laws - state legislation pending
Rhode Island	No	Governor Almond rejected a ban - July 2001. School buses are banned from using a cell phone
South Carolina	No
South Dakota	No
Tennessee	Partial	School buses are banned from using a cell phone
Texas	No
Utah	No	Bill to introduce ban failed March 1998
Vermont	No
Virginia	No	Bill failed in Dec. 1998 - but it only applied to school bus drivers. Passed a bill in Aug. 2001 to look for any impact on safety by the use of a cell phone while driving.
Washington	No	Bill to introduce ban failed Jan 2001
West Virginia	No	Bill proposed in 1999, but never debated
Wisconsin	No	Bill to introduce ban failed in April 1998
Wyoming	No	Bill proposed by Rep. Floyd Esquibel but not debated

Information is believed to be correct at time of publishing - please notify us of any oversights by using the contact us option on the side menu.

Last update 03/20/04

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Driving and Talking on Cellular Phones - Talking and Driving Ban

Drining and Talking on a Cell Phone is Dangerous

US States and other Countries that ban cell phones while driving