Can You Use Your Phone at a Red Light? What US State Laws Say

Smartphones have revolutionized communication, but they also play a major role in distracted driving. Authorities are increasingly using technology like phone tracking and cameras to identify drivers who are distracted behind the wheel. Surveys support this concern: the 2022 AAA Traffic Safety Culture Index found that nearly 93% of drivers believe texting, emailing, or reading messages while driving is very or extremely dangerous.

While hands-free smartphone use is typically permitted in most states, handling a phone while driving is prohibited in 31 states, including California, Maine, Idaho, and Tennessee, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This includes any interaction with your device, such as typing, scrolling, or tapping, no matter what app or function is in use. Almost all states (49) ban manually reading or typing texts while driving. Montana is the only state without a statewide texting ban, though some counties enforce local restrictions. In 2025, Montana Senate Bill 359 proposed stricter regulations, but it was not passed.

In practice, physically using your phone at a red light is illegal in most states. However, hands-free use, such as voice commands, is legally accepted in many areas, though some regions have unclear rules.

Hands-Free Usage and Text-to-Speech Apps

Many states permit hands-free operation via voice commands. Yet, legal clarity is lacking in some areas. Apps like Gboard, which convert spoken words into text, may still require brief physical interaction, such as tapping the microphone icon. This raises questions about whether such actions violate distracted driving laws.

Some states have nuanced restrictions. For example, Alaska prohibits physically interacting with texts only while the vehicle is moving. A driver slightly rolling forward at a red light could technically fall into a legal gray area. Kentucky allows phone use for GPS or dialing a number but restricts texting while driving. These exceptions highlight how attention is diverted even during permitted phone interactions.

Why Distracted Driving Laws Matter

Distracted driving has deadly consequences. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,275 deaths in 2023 caused by distracted driving. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous: reading a text for five seconds at 55 mph means covering the length of a football field without looking at the road. Multi-car accidents underscore the serious risks of using a phone while driving.

Enforcing distracted driving laws is challenging. States without hands-free requirements leave police uncertain about what a driver is doing on their phone. In Iowa, for instance, texting while driving is illegal, but holding a phone for directions or calls is allowed, creating enforcement challenges for officers.

Author: Chloe Ramirez