Cell Phone Usage and Texting Laws
Posted on Wed, Apr 13, 2011
Is It Legal to TXT Your BFF While Driving in VT?
While you may be well aware of cell phone and texting laws in Massachusetts, what about other states? Just because Massachusetts allows adults over 18 to talk on a cell phone while driving (although we don’t recommend it), doesn’t mean that New York does. Other states may have more strict rules than the Bay State. Consider these scenarios:
• You live in Massachusetts but commute to New Hampshire each weekday for work.
• Each fall, you and your spouse journey from New England to Florida to spend the winter months in the Sunshine State.
• You travel around the country for business, often getting around in a rented car.
• Your family decides to spend your summer vacation in the Adirondacks and opts to travel there in the family minivan.
In each of these cases, you’re driving through or to another state. If you’re not aware of their laws for cell phone usage while driving then you might be at risk for getting a fine if caught.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has outlined all state cell phone and texting messaging laws. Be aware that some local jurisdictions may have additional regulations which are not listed.
No matter whether you drive near or far, knowing cell phone usage and texting laws for states you travel through will save you the aggravation of being pulled over by local law enforcement and possibly fined.