What Is the "No-Touch" Law and What States Have It?

What Is the "No-Touch" Law and What States Have It?

Distracted driving accidents happen fast, so many states have adopted no-touch laws to curb phone use behind the wheel and improve road safety.

Key Takeaways



• The no-touch law makes it illegal for drivers to hold or physically use a phone while driving, including for texting, scrolling or holding it to their ear.
• About 60% of U.S. states have some form of hands-free or no-touch law that limits how drivers can use a phone on the road.
• A no-touch law violation can help support a personal injury claim by showing that the other driver was using their phone when the accident happened.
  
  

You're stopped at a red light and glance down at your phone to check a text. Seems harmless, right? Not under the no-touch law. If a distracted driver breaks this rule and hits you, it could be one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case.

What is the no-touch law, and how can it affect your personal injury case?

What Is the No-Touch Law?

The no-touch law, sometimes called a hands-free law, makes it illegal to hold or physically handle your phone while driving. That means no texting, no scrolling and no holding the phone to your ear. If you want to use your phone, you have to use a hands-free option like a Bluetooth speaker or a mount.

The goal is to keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Even a few seconds of distracted driving can lead to a serious crash.

What States Have Hands-Free Laws?

Around 65% of the states and the District of Columbia have passed some form of hands-free laws, and that number seems to be growing. Those states include:

• Alabama
• Iowa
• New York
• Arizona
• Louisiana
• Ohio
• California
• Maine
• Oregon
• Colorado
• Maryland
• Pennsylvania
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• Delaware
• Michigan
• South Carolina
• Georgia
• Minnesota
• Tennessee
• Hawaii
• Missouri
• Vermont
• Idaho
• Nevada
• Virginia
• Illinois
• New Hampshire
• Washington
• Indiana
• New Jersey
• West Virginia

While this is positive, each state defines hands-free use a little differently. For example, California prohibits drivers from holding and operating a handheld phone or other electronic wireless device while driving. Drivers can only use a mounted device with a single swipe or tap, and drivers under 18 face even stricter limits.

In Arizona, drivers cannot physically hold or support a portable wireless device while driving, and they also cannot read, write or send text-based messages behind the wheel. Hands-free voice use and hands-free navigation are still allowed.

In Colorado, the no-touch law bans drivers from holding or manually using a phone or other mobile device while driving, even when a driver is stopped in traffic or at a red light.



Other states have partial restrictions, banning texting but still allowing calls. The rules are changing fast. If you're unsure what law applies in your state, an attorney can help you understand how local traffic laws affect your case.

How Do You Prove a Distracted Driver Caused an Accident?

Here's what evidence can help prove a distracted driver violated the no-touch law and caused your injuries:

• Phone Records: Subpoenaed call and text logs can show the driver was actively using their phone at the time of the crash
• Witness Statements: Bystanders or passengers who saw the driver looking at their phone
• Traffic and Dashcam Footage: Video can capture a driver with their head down before impact
• Social Media Activity: Timestamps on posts or stories can place phone use right at the moment of the accident

A personal injury attorney knows how to gather this evidence quickly and before it disappears.

If you were hurt by a distracted driver, the no-touch law may be one of your strongest arguments. But don't wait to get legal help because phone records don't stay available forever, and video footage often gets overwritten within days.

See How the No-Touch Law Can Support Your Car Accident Claim

In states with no-touch laws, when a driver checks a text or scrolls through an app, they may be violating a rule designed to reduce distracted driving. You shouldn’t be the one left paying for their negligence.

At Sargon Law Group, we specialize in personal injury claims. Whether you’re in Arizona, California or Colorado, our team understands exactly how to use hands-free legislation to support your recovery.

Take the first step toward justice by scheduling a free consultation. Speak with a car accident attorney at Sargon Law Group today and start fighting for the full compensation you deserve.