Publication Title: 
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Publication Date: 
Wednesday, June 1, 2011

State distracted-driving policy is diverging from evidence on the risks of mobile communication device use by drivers. An updatable dataset of laws is now available to researchers conducting multistate evaluations of the impact of laws regulating mobile communication device use by drivers. Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia have at least one form of restriction on the use of mobile communication devices in effect. The laws vary in the types of communication activities and categories of driver regulated, as well as enforcement mechanisms and punishments. No state completely bans use of mobile communicaton devices by all drivers.

Citations: 
Ibrahim JK, Anderson, ED, Burris SC, Wagenaar AC. State Laws Restricting Driver Use of Mobile Communications Devices: Distracted-Driving Provisions, 1992–2010. American Journal of Preventive Medicine; 2011;40(6): 659-665.