Distracted driving has become an increasingly pressing public safety issue, so state lawmakers have had to take action. As of July 1st, 2025, the new hands-free cell phone law goes into effect. For the remainder of 2025, law enforcement professionals may issue warnings instead of citations to those who use digital devices while driving.
However, beginning in 2026, drivers could be at risk of citations for violating the new hands-free driving law. Each violation could lead to a $100 fine. Motorists may want to take action now to ensure that they can easily comply with the new law without disrupting their lives.
What steps can people take to ensure their compliance?
Get the right vehicle equipment
Many late-model vehicles have built-in Bluetooth systems. People can sync their mobile phones to their vehicles when they start them. If the vehicle does not have a built-in Bluetooth system, then there are Bluetooth adapters that people can purchase.
Drivers may also want to obtain specialized phone mounts. These are devices that allow people to secure their phones to the dashboard, windshield or vents in the vehicle to interact with the phone with a single touch.
Drivers may also want to practice using voice assistant programs such as Siri, Cortana or Google Assistant when they need to interact with their devices. They can verbally tell their phone to compose a text message, dial a phone number, update navigation software or change the music playing.
Adjust personal driving habits
Now is the time to start practicing habits that conform to the current law. People who rely on GPS navigation may need to develop the habit of inputting their destination information and starting the route before they start their vehicles. Similarly, they may need to practice starting a playlist or accessing a podcast before their vehicle is in motion.
Whenever possible, make it a point to review and respond to text messages before getting in the vehicle. Similarly, placing brief phone calls before driving is usually preferable to making even a hands-free call while in control of a vehicle. In scenarios where people feel compelled to handle their devices, they need to pull over so that they aren’t on the road and driving while interacting with their devices.
With the right preparation, drivers can comply with the law and reduce the risk of a crash. If they end up hurt in a collision caused by someone less concerned about the law, then they may need help taking legal action. Filing an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit can help people involved in distracted driving crashes hold irresponsible drivers accountable.