Are you allowed to talk on your cell phone in Washington D.C. while driving?

Answer 1

The Washington D.C. hands free driving law went into effect on July 1st , 2004. Under the law motorists can still dial a cell-phone call manually, but must use a hands-free device to talk on their cell phone while driving.

Washington D.C. Police will issue traffic citations to motorists who are seen with a cell phone to their ear while driving.

Officials in D.C. advise against using a cell phone at any time while driving, however the law is clear that a hands freedevice is allowed should a person choose to drive and talk.

Like many of the other hands free driving laws across the United States , drivers are allowed to use their cell phone while driving to make emergency calls only.

First time offenders of the law will have their fines suspended, if they submit proof that they have acquired a hands free device.

If drivers from other jurisdictions are ticketed for a cell phone driving infraction, those drivers could lose their drivers license if they fail to pay their Washington D.C. ticket.

In addition to the Washington D.C. hands-free driving law, police will specifically report on any accident if cell phone use was a factor. The speculation is that accidents that involve cell phone use may be treated as a much more serious offense since the accused driver was violating a traffic law when the accident took place.

The fine for repeat offenders will be $100 for each violation. In 2006 Washington D.C. police officers handed out over 6,000 tickets for driving while using a cell phone.