Full question:
What is the law of Utah as far as use of cell phone while driving is concerned?
- Category: Automobiles
- Subcategory: Traffic Laws
- Date:
- State: Utah
Answer:
In Utah, all drivers are prohibited from texting while driving. This includes sending or receiving text messages. The law allows for primary enforcement of this rule, meaning officers can stop drivers solely for texting.
While all drivers are discouraged from using cell phones while driving due to the risk of distraction, young drivers and bus drivers are specifically prohibited from using cell phones while driving. It's important to note that using a hands-free device is not illegal in Utah, but studies indicate that hands-free conversations can be just as distracting as using a handheld device.
Research shows that hands-free phone conversations can impair driving performance even more than other distractions, like talking to a passenger. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of laws that prohibit handheld use but allow hands-free use. Overall, dialing a phone number is more distracting than simply talking, so hands-free devices with voice-dialing may reduce accident risks to some extent.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.