Can you legally use your headphones while driving in Kentucky? What state law allows
Listening to your favorite Taylor Swift song or true crime podcast while behind the wheel can make your drive a little more enjoyable.
However, tuning in to your favorites using audio devices, like AirPods, instead of the car stereo while on the road can cause problems for you and other drivers.
Is it safe to use earbuds or over-the-ear headphones while driving? Is it legal in Kentucky? Here’s what to know.
Is it legal for Kentucky drivers to listen through headphones behind the wheel?
Kentucky’s driving laws do not specifically mention headphone use. Laws prohibiting device use while driving only include personal communication devices, which are laid out in Kentucky Statute 189.292.
The statute states these devices include any device capable of two-way communication that produces a notification to the driver. These include, but are not limited to, cell phones and paging devices. Meaning, drivers must use bluetooth to talk on the phone.
Headphones, which are audio devices, are not included in this category. Thus, it’s not against the law to use headphones or ear buds while driving.
Lt. Joe Anderson with the Lexington Police Department does not recommend drivers to listen to audio through headphones while on the road.
“They don’t offer any positives to driving, and they simply take away one’s ability to be fully aware of their surroundings,” Anderson said.
Anderson said the combination of audio through headphones and newer car’s ability to dampen outside noise can make it difficult for drivers, making them more prone to other traffic violations or accidents.
“We all use our horns to alert people, and if you don’t hear someone’s horn warning you there’s something in front of you or you’re leaving your lane, you’re going to sideswipe somebody, or something much worse,” Anderson said.
Anderson also said using headphones while driving could get in the way of drivers hearing the sirens from emergency vehicles.
“If you’ve got something [headphones] in your ears, it’s probably going to be louder than it would be on the car radio,” Anderson said. “I just think you’re really limiting your ability to see things, hear things [and] just being more aware of what’s going on around you.”
Is it legal in other states?
According to Forbes, only seven U.S. states have laws completely banning wearing headphones while operating motor vehicles. These include Alaska, California, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Virginia and Washington.
Some states, such as Ohio and New York, allow headphone use while driving if it’s only in one ear. In states such as Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania, usage is only allowed in one ear for phone calls.
This story was originally published June 24, 2024 at 12:00 PM.
