Indiana Marks One Year Anniversary Of Hands-Free Driving Law

Friday, July 2, 2021 at 10:13 AM

Since the law went into effect, more than 5,400 citations and 10,500 warnings have been issued.

Shutterstock photo.

(INDIANAPOLIS) – Indiana’s hands-free driving law has been in effect for one year.

July 1 marked the one-year anniversary of the law, which states a person may not hold a telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle.

The object of the law is to increase roadway safety by requiring drivers to use hands-free technology.

“INDOT, along with our law enforcement partners, is working to educate and promote safety on the roads across the state. The Hands Free law is a vital tool to keep Hoosiers safe on the road by encouraging drivers to put down their phones and be fully focused on the road ahead," said INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuiness.

Since the law went into effect, more than 5,400 citations and 10,500 warnings have been issued by Indiana law enforcement, according to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

As a reminder, drivers are allowed to:

use their device in conjunction with hands-free or voice operated technology.
GPS and other map apps are allowed, provided they are being used with hands-free
technology.
Devices may be used or held to call 911 to report a true emergency.

Consequences for violating Indiana’s hands-free driving law can result in a Class C infraction and/or a fine.

As of Thursday, the Indiana BMV will begin adding points to records for those who violate the hands-free driving law.