Hands-free driving law takes effect in Indiana Wednesday

INDIANAPOLIS (July 1, 2020) – Starting July 1, Indiana will no longer allow drivers to hold a cellphone while driving.

Indiana currently has a ban on texting while driving, but law enforcement has found it difficult to enforce. The new Hands-Free Law will ban drivers from holding a cellphone while their car is in motion in an effort to curb distracted driving.

Distracted driving caused more than 10,400 crashes in Indiana in 2019, according to the Indiana State Police. Nearly 2,000 of the crashes caused an injury and 19 were fatal.

Anyone caught by law enforcement committing this violation faces a Class C infraction with fines of up to $500.

While holding a cellphone may be a habit for some drivers, officials are suggesting motorists take important steps to breaking the dangerous habit, such as:

• pairing your phone to your car with Bluetooth
• connecting your phone to your car with an aux cord
• using your phone on speaker or using a single earphone when talking on the phone when talking on the phone is necessary

If you’re unable to safely make a hands-free phone call, police say you should pull off to a safe place to make your call.

Texting and driving became illegal in Illinois and the state went completely hands-free in 2014.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard would like to remind drivers that while hands-free driving is an important step in making our roads safer, drivers should know that just talking on Bluetooth speakers could also distract your mind from the road ahead. Always stay vigilant and do your best to avoid any distractions while behind the wheel.