Restrictions on cell phone use while driving in the United States

[1] All state-level cell phone use laws in the United States are of the "primary enforcement" type — meaning an officer may cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense having taken place — except in some cases involving newer (or "novice"), drivers.

However, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia (plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands) prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.

Several states (Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma) have prohibited localities from enacting their own laws regarding cell phone use.

[2] A 2014 report from the National Safety Council, which compiles data on injuries and fatalities from 2013 and earlier, concluded that use of mobile phones caused 26% of U.S. car accidents.

[47] In 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the following data - 2,841 lives lost due to distracted driving.

Restrictions on cell phone use while driving—by state
Hands-free cell phone use only
Texting while driving prohibited for all drivers
No restrictions on cell phone use while driving
Cell phone use is regulated by local ordinance during certain hours in Southside Place, Texas , in Greater Houston .