Check Cellphone Laws Before Traveling This Summer

 

Before you hit the road for a summer vacation, it’s a good idea to check out the cellphone laws—also referred to as distracted driving laws—in the states you’ll be visiting, or passing through. Did you know West Virginia just began enforcing its new distracted driving law on July 1, 2012?

 

Every state has its own laws, and if you’re not informed you can end up with a ticket. In some states, bans are primary laws, meaning you can get pulled over for that violation. In others, they’re secondary, meaning you can get pulled over only if an officer has witnessed another violation—like you failed to stop at a stop sign while you were texting.

 

For Virginia and its neighbors, here’s a quick summary of distracted driving laws:

 

Virginia

Cellphone: Go ahead (except for novice drivers)

Texting: Don’t do it, Secondary law

 

Kentucky

Cellphone: Go ahead (except for novice drivers)

Texting: Don’t do it, Primary law

 

Maryland

Cellphone: No handhelds (novice drivers are prohibited from all), Secondary law

Texting: Don’t do it, Primary law

 

North Carolina

Cellphone: Go ahead (except for novice drivers)

Texting: Don’t do it, Primary law

 

Tennessee

Cellphone: Go ahead (except for novice drivers)

Texting: Don’t do it, Primary law

 

West Virginia

Cellphone: No handhelds (except for novice drivers), Secondary law until July 1, 2013 when it becomes Primary law

Texting: Don’t do it, Primary law

 

It’s important to note the definition of a “novice driver” also varies by state. Do your research before you hit the road. And, most importantly, always put safety first.