Full question:
Is use of cellular phone while driving permitted in North Carolina?
- Category: Automobiles
- Subcategory: Traffic Laws
- Date:
- State: North Carolina
Answer:
Use of cellular phone while driving is generally not prohibited in North carolina. However, drivers younger than 18 are prohibited from using hand held cell phone while driving. School bus drivers are also specifically banned from using the cell phone while driving. Effective from 12/01/2009, texting while driving is prohibited for all drivers. Penalty for the first offense is a fine of $ 25 for traffic infraction. The driver gets a traffic ticket.
The consistency of increased crash risk between hands-free and hand held cell phone use is at odds with legislation that prohibits hand held cell phone use but allows hands-free. In the United States, hands free use of a cell phone while driving is not prohibited in any state. Since dialing buttons on a cell phone is more distracting than talking on a cell phone, hands-free devices that offer voice-dialing may reduce the risk of accidents to a limited extent.
Generally, using cell phones while driving distracts drivers to a great extent. Texting is even more distracting because texting causes a driver to take his/her eyes off the road in contrast to talking on the mobile while driving where the driver though distracted need not take his eyes off the road (except when dialling).
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.
