Is it illegal in MS to wear headphones or AirPods while driving? What the law says
Whether you’ve got a broken car stereo or just left the gym with your earbuds still in, driving with headphones in Mississippi can put you and others at risk.
In many states, it’s illegal to drive while listening to music or podcasts in headphones because of its distracting nature.
So, can you get pulled over for driving with headphones in Mississippi? Here’s what the law says.
Is it legal to wear headphones or earbuds while driving in MS?
In Mississippi, there is no specific law about driving while wearing headphones, but that doesn’t mean doing so is risk-free.
Driving with headphones, especially noise-cancelling headphones, can be distracting as it blocks out emergency sounds around you. Even listening to music or podcasts with both ears covered can make you less aware of your surroundings, according to experts.
Distracted drivers could be held responsible for traffic incidents they cause, even if they don’t specifically violate any of the state’s distracted driving laws, according to Morris Bart Personal Injury Lawyers.
The Mississippi State Department of Health considers the following to be distracted driving, according to the agency’s website:
- Looking away from the road for more than one second
- Eating, drinking, shaving, or engaging in other personal activities
- Texting or talking on a cell phone
- Listening to anything that requires ear buds
- Feeling fatigued or drowsy
- Trying to deal with children or bets without stopping
Which states ban or restrict driving with headphones?
These are the states that ban or restrict driving with headphones, according to The Podor Law Firm:
- California
- Alaska
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Virginia
- Washington
- Florida
- Illinois
- New York
- Georgia
- Rhode Island
- Ohio
Which states have no specific laws prohibiting wearing headphones while driving?
These states don’t have any specific laws about driving with headphones, according to The Podor Law Firm:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
