The Institute tracks and publishes state laws related to highway safety. Below are summaries of recent law changes.
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2012
2011
2010
December 16, 2010
Michigan strengthens GDL law
Michigan has added a passenger restriction and strengthened the night driving restriction. Starting December 14, 2010, intermediate license holders are barred from driving with more than one passenger younger than 21 and from driving between 10 pm and 5 am, compared with midnight-5am previously. For details on licensing laws for young drivers, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx.
July 7, 2010
Delaware bans the use of hand-held phones and text messaging by all drivers
Delaware joins 8 other states in banning the use of hand-held phones by all drivers and 29 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective January 2, 2011. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
July 2, 2010
Massachusetts joins 28 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers
Massachusetts joins 28 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective September 30, 2010. Additionally, drivers younger than 18 are banned from using all phones. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
June 18, 2010
Louisiana strengthens texting ban from secondary to primary enforcement
Louisiana joins 23 other states with a primary enforcement texting ban allowing officers to cite drivers solely for texting, effective August 15, 2010. Four other states have secondary all driver texting bans.
Details on cellphone and texting bans in all states
June 8, 2010
Oklahoma bans all cellphone use and text messaging by young drivers
Oklahoma joins 27 other states in banning cellphone use by young drivers, effective November 1, 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
June 7, 2010
Colorado, Georgia, and Vermont strengthen occupant restraint laws
Colorado joins 27 other states requiring children 7 years and younger to ride in a child restraint or a booster seat, effective August 1, 2010. The previous law required booster seats only for children 4 and 5 years of age. Additionally, children younger than 1 year must ride restrained in the rear seat. As of June 3, 2010, Georgia will require occupants of pickup trucks to wear safety belts. Vermont has a secondary adult belt law but has increased the ages covered by the primary child restraint law from 15 years and younger to 17 years and younger, effective June 1, 2010.
For details on safety belt use laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/SafetyBeltUse.aspx.
June 4, 2010
Georgia joins 27 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers
Georgia joins 27 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective July 1, 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
June 2, 2010
Vermont joins 26 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers
Vermont joins 26 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective June 1, 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
May 28, 2010
Kansas enacts primary belt law
Kansas joins 30 other states with primary enforcement of the safety belt use law, effective June 10, 2010. With the addition of Kansas, the belt laws in 25 states cover all rear occupants, too. To compare safety belt laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/SafetyBeltUse.aspx.
May 27, 2010
New Hampshire weakens GDL law
New Hampshire has loosened its night driving restrictions for young beginning drivers. Starting January 1, 2011, drivers covered under GDL are barred from driving between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., compared with 1-5 a.m. previously. For details on licensing laws for young drivers, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx.
May 26, 2010
Kansas joins 25 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers
Kansas joins 25 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective July 1, 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
May 21, 2010
Maryland allows medium-speed vehicles on some roads
Maryland joins 9 other states with laws specifically regulating the use of medium-speed vehicles on public roads, effective October 1, 2010. In Maryland, a medium-speed vehicle is defined as having a maximum speed capability of greater than 25 mph but less than 55 mph and they may only use roads posted 5 mph higher than its maximum speed capability. To compare medium-speed vehicle laws in all states go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/mediumspeedvehicles.aspx.
May 20, 2010
Maryland bans hand-held cellphone use by all drivers
Maryland joins 7 other states in banning hand-held cellphone use by all drivers, effective October 1, 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
May 14, 2010
Florida creates a state-wide red light camera program
Florida joins nine other states with laws granting state-wide authority for the use of red light cameras, effective July 1, 2010. An additional sixteen states are using red light cameras under state laws that limit their use to specific locations or by local ordinances. For details on automated enforcement laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/automated_enforcement.aspx.
May 11, 2010
Oklahoma bans all cellphone use and text messaging by bus drivers
Oklahoma joins 17 other states in banning cellphone use by bus drivers, effective November 1, 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
May 5, 2010
Wisconsin bans text messaging by all drivers
Wisconsin joins 24 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective December 1, 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
May 3, 2010
Alabama strengthens GDL and bans cellphone use by young drivers
Alabama tightened the GDL passenger restriction from 3 to only 1 passenger, effective July 1, 2010. Additionally, the state has banned all cellphone use, including text messaging, by young drivers. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx; for details on licensing laws for young drivers, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx.
April 29, 2010
Iowa strengthens child restraint law
Iowa requires all children age 17 and younger riding in passenger vehicles to be restrained, effective July 1, 2010. Previously, children 11 years and older were not covered in the rear seat. For details on safety belt use laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/SafetyBeltUse.aspx.
April 14, 2010
Kentucky and Nebraska ban text messaging by all drivers
Kentucky and Nebraska join 21 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective summer 2010. Kentucky also has banned novice drivers from using any wireless communications device. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
April 2, 2010
Iowa bans text messaging by all drivers and all cellphone use by young drivers
Iowa joins 20 state in banning text messaging by all drivers and 22 other states in banning novice drivers from using any wireless communications device, effective July 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
March 26, 2010
Washington strengthens cellphone and texting ban
Washington joins 21 other states in banning novice drivers from using any wireless communications device, effective June 2010. Washington's current ban on text messaging and the use of hand-held phones by all drivers will be strengthened from a secondary to a primary law, meaning an officer will no longer need another reason to stop a vehicle. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
March 26, 2010
Washington allows medium-speed vehicles on more roads
Washington will allow medium-speed vehicles on roads with a posted limit of 45 mph or lower in island counties connected by ferry, effective June 2010. Previously, medium-speed vehicles were restricted to roads with a posted limit of 35 mph or less. To compare medium-speed vehicle laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/mediumspeedvehicles.aspx.
March 12, 2010
Wyoming bans text messaging by all drivers
Wyoming joins 19 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective July 1, 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
March 5, 2010
Nebraska to allow minitrucks on some roads
Nebraska joins 14 other states in permitting the use of minitrucks on specific portions of the public road, effective January 1, 2011. Minitrucks may travel on most roads at the posted speed limit, but they are not permitted on interstates, freeways, or expressways. To compare minitruck laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/minitrucks.aspx.
March 4, 2010
Virginia to raise interstate speed limits
Virginia will raise speed limits on certain interstate highways from 65 to 70 mph starting July 1, 2010, following a traffic engineering study. Virginia joins 32 other states with limits of 70 mph or higher. To compare speed limits in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/speedlimits.aspx.
February 19, 2010
Alaska allows low-speed vehicles on more roads
Beginning May 17, local communities in Alaska can allow low-speed vehicles on roads with a posted limit of 45 mph or lower. Previously, low speed vehicles were only permitted on roads posted 35 mph or lower. To compare low-speed vehicle laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/LowSpeedVehicles.aspx.
January 20, 2010
New Jersey toughens belt law
New Jersey joins 23 other states in requiring rear seat occupants to ride restrained. Violations will be enforced as a secondary action, effective 1/20/11. For details on safety belt use laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/SafetyBeltUse.aspx.
2009
November 10, 2009
Rhode Island bans text messaging by all drivers
Rhode Island joins 18 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective November 9, 2009. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
September 21, 2009
Illinois allows low-speed vehicles on more roads
Illinois will allow low-speed vehicles on any road with a posted limit of 30 mph or lower, effective January 2010. Previously, individual communities had to adopt laws to permit the use of low-speed vehicles on local roads. To compare low-speed vehicle laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/LowSpeedVehicles.aspx.
September 2, 2009
New York strengthens booster seat law
New York joins 26 other states in requiring children at least 7 and younger to be in a booster seat, effective November 24, 2009. For details on child restraint laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/childrestraint.aspx.
September 1, 2009
New York strengthens graduated driver licensing law
New York has strengthened its GDL law by eliminating the limited school license, thereby requiring all young drivers to hold the learner's permit for at least 6 months. The supervised driving hour requirement has increased from 20 to 50 hours and the passenger restriction allows only one instead of two passengers. These changes become effective February 22, 2010. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx.
August 31, 2009
New York bans text messaging by all drivers
New York joins 17 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective November 1, 2009. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
August 18, 2009
Illinois raises truck speed limit on interstates
Illinois' speed limit for large trucks will increase from 55 to 65 mph on interstate highways to align with the current limit for passenger vehicles, effective January 1, 2010. Nine other states (Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington) have lower speed limits for large trucks than for passenger vehicles. To compare speed limits in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/speedlimits.aspx.
August 7, 2009
Illinois bans text messaging and use of hand-held phones in school and construction zones
Illinois joins 16 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective January 1, 2010. Additionally, drivers may not use hand-held phones in school and construction zones. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
August 3, 2009
New Hampshire bans text messaging by all drivers
New Hampshire joins 15 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective January 1, 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
July 30, 2009
Oregon bans hand-held phone use and text messaging by all drivers
Oregon joins 6 other U.S. states in banning the use of hand-held phones by all drivers and 14 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective January 1, 2010. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
July 15, 2009
Rhode Island strengthens child restraint law
Rhode Island strengthened its child restraint law to require children 7 and younger and less than 57 inches tall to be in a child passenger restraint system. The law took effect June 30.
Compare child restraint laws in all states.
July 14, 2009
Missouri joins 23 other states in banning text messaging by young drivers
Missouri drivers age 21 and younger are banned from texting, effective July 9. Ten states states now ban text messaging for novice drivers, and 14 states ban texting for all drivers. For details on texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
July 2, 2009
Wisconsin becomes the 30th state with primary enforcement of the safety belt use law
On June 29th, Wisconsin changed the state's seat belt law from secondary to primary enforcement, thus making Wisconsin the 30th state to primarily enforce its safety belt use law.
Compare safety belt laws in all states
June 30, 2009
Louisiana becomes the 22nd state to require safety belt use in all seats
Effective August 15, 2009, Louisiana will join 21 other states and the District of Columbia in requiring safety belt use in all seats. The current law requires belt use only in the front seat.
Compare safety belt laws in all states
June 25, 2009
Texas bans all drivers in school crossing zones from talking on hand-held phones and texting
Effective September 1, 2009, all drivers in Texas school crossing zones are banned from talking on hand-held phones and texting. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
June 23, 2009
Alaska strengthens child restraint law
Alaska's child restraint law requires children 3 and younger to be in a child safety seat. On June 17, the governor signed legislation strengthening the law. When the law goes into effect on September 15, 2009, Alaska will join 24 other states requiring children at least 7 and younger to be in a child passenger restraint system.
Compare child restraint laws in all states
June 23, 2009
North Carolina becomes 14th state to ban text messaging by all drivers
Effective December 1, 2009, North Carolina joins 13 other US states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington) in banning text messaging by all drivers. For details on texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
June 18, 2009
Florida and Minnesota to allow minitrucks on some roads
Florida and Minnesota join 12 other states in permitting the use of minitrucks on specific portions of the public road. Effective immediately, minitrucks may be driven on Florida roads that are posted with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Effective August 1, 2009, localities in Minnesota may, by local ordinance, allow the use of minitrucks on specified roads. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/minitrucks.aspx.
June 11, 2009
Colorado authorizes low-speed vehicles on portions of public roads
Effective August 2009, Colorado will join 42 other states and the District of Columbia in authorizing low-speed vehicles on roads with a posted limit of 35 mph or lower. The law restricts low-speed vehicles from traveling faster than 25 mph. Previously, low-speed vehicles were permitted in Colorado only by local option. To compare low-speed vehicle laws in all states http://www.iihs.org/laws/LowSpeedVehicles.aspx.
June 9, 2009
Ohio raises truck speed limit on interstate highways
Effective July 1, 2009, Ohio's speed limit for large trucks will increase from 55 to 65 mph on interstate highways, thereby making it equal to the speed limit for passenger vehicles. Ten other states (Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington) still have lower speed limits for large trucks than for passenger vehicles. To compare speed limits in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/speedlimits.aspx.
June 8, 2009
Indiana strengthens child restraint law
Effective July 1, 2009, out-of-state drivers will no longer be exempt from Indiana's child restraint law. Indiana and 23 other states require drivers to restrain children at least 7 years and younger in a passenger restraint system.
Compare child restraint laws in all states
June 5, 2009
Texas strengthens child restraint law
On May 29, Texas enacted legislation strengthening the state's current child restraint law that requires children 4 and younger to be in a child safety seat. When the law goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2009, Texas will join 23 other states requiring children at least 7 and younger to be in a child passenger restraint system.
Compare child restraint laws in all states
June 4, 2009
Colorado strengthens cellphone ban for young drivers
Effective December 1, 2009, novice drivers in Colorado join those in 20 other states and the District of Columbia banned from talking on a cellphone. For details on cellphone bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
June 3, 2009
Colorado becomes 13th state to ban text messaging by all drivers
Effective December 1, 2009, Colorado joins 12 other US states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington) in banning text messaging by all drivers. For details on texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
May 29, 2009
Maine bans the use of automated enforcement
Effective Fall 2009, Maine joins four other states (MS, MT, WV, and NH) in banning the use of all automated enforcement cameras. For details on automated enforcement laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/automated_enforcement.aspx.
May 28, 2009
Minnesota strengthens child restraint law
On May 15th, the Governor of Minnesota signed legislation strengthening the state's current child restraint law that requires children 3 and younger to be in a child safety seat. When the law goes into effect on July 1, 2009, children 7 and younger and less than 57 inches will be required to be in a child passenger restraint system.
Compare child restraint laws in all states
May 27, 2009
Minnesota becomes the 29th state with primary enforcement of the safety belt use law
On May 21, the Governor of Minnesota signed legislation changing the state's seat belt law from secondary to primary enforcement. When the law goes into effect on June 9, 2009, Minnesota will become the 29th state to primarily enforce its safety belt use law.
Compare safety belt laws in all states
May 26, 2009
Maryland expands the use of automated enforcement cameras
Effective October 1, 2009, Maryland's authorized speed camera locations will expand from Montgomery County school zones and residential districts to include school zones and work zones statewide. Additionally, Montgomery County will join Prince George's County in allowing cameras to capture violations at rail crossings. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/automated_enforcement.aspx.
May 22, 2009
Indiana becomes 21st state to ban cellphone use by young drivers
Effective July 1, 2009, Indiana joins 20 other US states in banning cellphone use by young drivers. For details on cellphone bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
May 21, 2009
Tennessee becomes 12th state to ban text messaging by all drivers
Effective July 1, 2009, Tennessee joins 11 other US states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia, and Washington) in banning text messaging by all drivers. For details on texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
May 20, 2009
West Virginia strengthens graduated driver licensing law
Effective July 10, 2009, young drivers in West Virginia who choose not to enroll in driver education will be required to drive for 50, rather than 30, supervised hours in the learner's phase. Provisional license holders will be prohibited from driving from 10 pm to 5 am instead of the previous 11 pm to 5 am. Additionally, the passenger restriction will strengthen from no more than three passengers to no passengers for the first six months and not more than one passenger for the second six months.
For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx.
May 19, 2009
Maryland strengthens graduated driver licensing law
Effective October 1, 2009, Maryland's holding period for a learner's permit will increase from six to nine months. Unsupervised driving will be allowed at 16, 6 months instead of 16, 3 months. Restriction on nighttime driving will end at 18 years instead of 17, 9 months and restriction on carrying passengers will end at 16, 11 months instead of 16, 8 months.
For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx.
May 18, 2009
Indiana strengthens graduated driver licensing law
Effective July 1, 2010, Indiana's young drivers must be age 15, 6 months rather than age 15 to be issued a learner's permit and it must be held for six instead of two months. While currently young drivers are not required to complete a specific number of hours of supervised driving, they now will be required to complete fifty supervised driving hours. The intermediate license will be issued at age 16, 6 months instead of the previous 16, 1 month. Currently, Indiana's night restriction for drivers younger than 18 starts at 11 pm or 1 am depending on the day of the week. Effective July 1, 2009, unsupervised driving will also be prohibited for the first 180 days from 10 pm to 5 am. Additionally, the restriction allowing no passengers will be increased from three to six months.
For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx.
May 14, 2009
Maryland becomes 11th state to ban text messaging by all drivers
Effective October 1, 2009, Maryland joins 10 other US states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia, and Washington) in banning text messaging by all drivers. For details on texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
May 13, 2009
Maine becomes the 12th state to enact a law allowing minitrucks on some roads
Effective September 2009, Maine's definition of "low-speed vehicle" will include minitrucks allowing their use on roads with a posted speed limit of not more than 35 mph. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/minitrucks.aspx.
May 12, 2009
Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, and Massachusetts enact low-speed vehicle laws
Since January 1, 2009, four states (Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, and Massachusetts) have enacted low-speed vehicle laws. Kentucky will allow LSV use on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. Massachusetts will allow LSV use on roads with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less. The maximum speed limit for roads authorized for LSV use increased from 25 mph to 35 mph in Idaho and decreased from 40 mph to 30 mph in Kansas. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/LowSpeedVehicles.aspx.
May 11, 2009
Montana bans the use of automated enforcement
Effective Tuesday, May 5, 2009, Montana localities are banned from using an automated enforcement system to detect traffic violations. Enforcement at railroad grade crossings is excepted.
Automated enforcement laws
May 8, 2009
Florida becomes the 28th state with primary enforcement of the safety belt use law
On May 6th, the Governor of Florida signed legislation changing the state's seat belt law from secondary to primary enforcement. When the law goes into effect on June 30, 2009, Florida will become the 28th state to primarily enforce its safety belt use law.
Compare safety belt laws in all states
May 7, 2009
Mississippi has prohibited automated enforcement while New York expands use of red light cameras
Mississippi has prohibited all localities from using automated enforcement, but New York City has increased from 100 to 150 the number of intersections using red light cameras. Additionally, the counties of Nassau and Suffolk and the cities of Rochester, Buffalo and Yonkers have been authorized to adopt new red light camera programs. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/automated_enforcement.aspx.
May 1, 2009
Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Utah, and Virginia strengthen cellphone use laws
Since January 1, 2009, five states (Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Utah, and Virginia) have strengthened their cellphone use laws. Arkansas, Utah, and Virginia have banned texting for all drivers. Kansas and Mississippi have banned texting for young drivers. Arkansas and Kansas also have banned all cellphone use for young drivers. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
April 30, 2009
New Hampshire and Oklahoma strengthen graduated driver licensing laws
New Hampshire and Oklahoma have strengthened their GDL laws by increasing the required number of supervised driving hours. Additionally, Oklahoma's night driving restriction will begin one hour earlier. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx.
April 29, 2009
Maine strengthens motorcycle helmet law
Maine has increased its motorcycle helmet use age from 14 to 17. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/HelmetUseCurrent.aspx.
April 24, 2009
Arkansas, Kansas, New Jersey, and Mississippi strengthen graduated driver licensing laws
Since January 1, 2009, Arkansas, Kansas, New Jersey, and Mississippi have strengthened their GDL laws. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx
In addition, IIHS has added two interactive GDL maps:
Night restriction start times | Restrictions on passengers
March 5, 2009
Arkansas becomes the 27th state with primary enforcement of the safety belt use law
On March 4th, the Governor of Arkansas signed legislation changing the state's seat belt law from secondary to primary enforcement. When the law goes into effect on June 30, 2009, Arkansas will become the 27th state to primarily enforce its seat belt law.
Compare safety belt laws in all states
2008
September 25, 2008
California becomes the 7th state to ban text messaging by all drivers
Effective January 1, 2009, California will join 6 other U.S. states (Alaska, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington) in banning text messaging by all drivers. For details on texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
September 3, 2008
Alaska becomes 6th state to ban text messaging by all drivers
Effective September 1, Alaska joined 5 other U.S. states (Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington) in banning text messaging by all drivers. For details on texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.
August 26, 2008
North Carolina strengthens law against riding in the cargo area of pickup trucks
North Carolina recently amended its laws prohibiting children from riding in the cargo area of pickup trucks. The law previously provided that children under the age of 12 were not to be transported in the cargo area. The amendment law now covers children under the age of 16. The law contains several exceptions, including permitting children of all ages to ride in the cargo area if supervised by an adult.
For more information on state laws prohibiting children from riding in the cargo area of pickup trucks, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cargoAreas.aspx.
August 21, 2008
Low-speed vehicles legal in most states on roads with low speed limits
Federal standards covering low-speed vehicles apply to those used for "short trips for shopping, social, and recreational purposes primarily within retirement or other planned communities with golf courses." To qualify, a vehicle must have 4 wheels and a top speed of at least 20 mph but not more than 25. States, not NHTSA, are responsible for regulating the operation of motor vehicles on public roads and for handling low-speed vehicle titling and registration.
For information on the roads in each state where low-speed vehicles are legal, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/LowSpeedVehicles.aspx.
August 12, 2008
States begin to allow the use of the minitrucks on public roads
August 7, 2008
Five states change license renewal cycles for older drivers
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