Countries are banning cell phones during driving. The cause is the high number of crashes associated with driving and cell phone usage. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute did a study and found that distracted individuals are four times more likely to crash, and cell phone is one of the big distractions. The experiment was carried out on individuals who have agreed to be tracked with special hardware by the institute.

We are seeing a world wide clamp down on cell phone usage and driving. States and provinces are passing laws that prohibit cellular phones on roads, while insurance companies are spiking their rates for drivers who are caught in the act of talking on the phone while driving, or text messaging.

Countries that officially prohibit cell phone usage while driving: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Botswana, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India - New Delhi, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UK, Zimbabwe.

Note that in order to be included in the list, a country has to ban cell phone usage in the car at least in one province / state. For example, in Canada it is legal to drive and use a cell phone while driving in British Columbia, yet it is illegal in Ontario.

US States that prohibit cell phone usage during driving:

Arkansas (partial), Arizona (partial), California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida (partial), Georgia (partial), Hawaii (partial), Illinois (partial), Iowa (Being debated), Louisiana (partial), Maine (partial), Massachusetts (partial), Minnesota (partial), New Hampshire (partial), New Jersey, New Mexico (partial), New York, North Carolina (Being debated), North Dakota (Being debated), Ohio (partial), Oregon (partial), Pennsylvania (partial), South Carolina (partial), Tennessee (partial), Virginia (partial), Washington.

Partial refers to fines, punishments and other measures taken by the state against the use of cell phones. Partial means that though it is not illegal to use mobile phones while driving, some conditions apply; i.e. in case of an accident.

Cell phone Usage in the Car and Your Auto Insurance Rates

In countries, states / provinces where the use of cell phones while driving is illegal, getting caught using one can result in higher annual insurance rates. The logic is the following – if you are caught using a cell phone and receive a ticket, you are now viewed as a higher risk driver since a considerable percentage of car crashes can be attributed to cell phone use while driving. Insurance companies can now raise your rates if Federal / State / Provincial / Municipal legislations allow it, and consider it a factor.

Cell Phone Usage Exceptions

There are few exceptions on how you can use cell phones while driving. They differ from country to country, and from state to state (or from province to province), but there are few universal characteristics:

• Calls to 911 are allowed at all times in case of an emergency (or calls to various emergency services in countries other than US and Canada.)
• Using a hands free wireless ear piece is allowed (not in all countries)
• The use of hand held cellular and transmitter devices is allowed for emergency personnel use.
• Viewing display screens of devices that offer GPS services and turn-by-turn directions is allowed.