Cell Phone and Safety Belt Laws By State
If you wonder as you pass through a state what their laws are regarding cell phone use and the use of seat belts, this list with some of the states should help:
| State | Cell Phones | Safety Belts |
|
Connecticut |
Hand-held phones may not be uses while driving |
Required for drivers and front-seat passengers; standard offense |
|
Delaware |
No restrictions |
Required for driver and all passengers; standard offense |
|
Maine |
No restrictions |
Required for driver and all passengers; primary offense |
|
Maryland |
No restrictions |
Required for driver and front-seat passengers; primary offense |
|
Massachusetts |
No restrictions |
Required for driver and all passengers; secondary offense for adults; standard offense for children |
|
New Hampshire |
If the use of a cell hone causes anyone to drive negligently or to endanger any person or property, it is a prosecutable offense |
Required for children under 18 only; standard offense |
|
New Jersey |
Hand-held phones may not be used while driving; secondary offense |
Required for driver and front-seat passengers; standard offense |
|
New York |
Hand-held phones may not be used while driving |
Required for driver and front-seat passengers; primary offense |
|
Pennsylvania |
No restrictions |
Required for driver and front-seat passengers; standard offense; violation of booster-seat law is a secondary offense |
|
Rhode Island |
Motorists under 18 may not use phones while driving |
Required for driver and all passengers; secondary offense for ages 18 and older; standard offense for children |
|
Vermont |
No restrictions |
Required for driver and all passenger; secondary offense for ages 16 and older; standard offense for children |
|
Washington D.C. |
Hand-held phones may not be used while driving; drivers with learner’s permits may not use cell phones of any type while driving; distracted driving is prohibited |
Required for driver and all passengers; primary offense |
NOTE: Laws listed as “primary” or “Standard” offenses are violations for which a driver can be pulled over without other caused. Laws listed as “secondary” offenses are citable only if the driver is stopped for a primary reason.