Is It Illegal to Drive with AirPods? Read This First!!!

Music has all tastes. When we are juggling with workloads and feel restless, the best calming pill could be a favorite pick from our playlist. All of us have one frequency that makes us dance on air. Music is also a great travel companion of all times. We often refer to the car’s radio or Bluetooth-paired smartphones when on a ride. AirPods are the latest upgrade we have got to continue our beats more smoothly while driving. Is it illegal to drive with AirPods? This is the most needed clarification for all the melophiles out there. Let’s look into the matter now. 

Is It Illegal to Drive with AirPods?

The ability to drive with AirPods will differ from state to state. There may be changes in the law according to the country or region you live in. Most states in the US allow drivers to wear one AirPod or earbud. You will be fined when you put on both. Nine states have imposed laws against wearing AirPods, any kinda wireless earbud or earphones, while driving. If you are in Alaska, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Virginia, or Washington, you cannot drive even with a single AirPod. 

Some states have slight changes in this law. Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania have strictly prohibited using headphones by drivers. But they can wear Bluetooth-paired devices or hands-free entertainment devices, including AirPods in one ear. 

Depending on the situation and location, you will be fined around $20 – $100 if you violate this law. If you need to know the exact facts, you should refer to the local codes. You can easily find the state traffic laws by searching on the internet. If a car crash happens due to careless driving while wearing earphones or AirPods, it is considered a personal injury lawsuit. But when an accident happens while wearing one AirPod, the driver will not be identified as distracted as a result of the device he/she had worn. 

Can you Wear One AirPod While Driving?

Driving with one AirPod is legal in most states. Driving with both AirPods is considered distracted driving. You will need at least one free ear to concentrate on driving and hearing the essential signals like emergency sirens and ambulance sirens. It also allows the driver to notice road accidents and traffic signals from officers. When one ear is free, you are opened to receive the horn signals of nearby vehicles. 

But some states have completely prohibited the use of AirPods, headphones, and wireless hearing devices used for entertainment while driving. In some locations, you are only allowed to answer phone calls via the vehicle’s microphones. The best thing to identify the law is by referring to the local security codes. You only have to search your location online, and you will receive the full guide.

In some states and countries, you can drive with headphones and AirPods without fines. But it is wise only to wear one AirPod and refrain from using headphones to decrease the risk of unexpected accidents.

This is because there is a high chance of not detecting vehicles and pedestrians for a driver who is into his favorite songs.

Violating the law will make you pay a fine ranging from $20 to $100, depending on the circumstances. You also have the possibility of ending up with a $200 fine in some states. Additionally, you will be added a point to your driving license. You must always obey the prevailing law to avoid the suspension of your driving license. In the USA, if you have received 12 points within a period of two years, your driving license will be suspended. 

Is It Illegal to Wear Headphones While Driving a Motorcycle?

You cannot wear headphones if you are driving in certain 16 states of the USA. There may be changes in the law according to the municipality you belong to. Please refer to the regional security guidelines to understand the law prevailing in your area.

Most importantly, it is advised to keep an ear free from any wireless devices to continue the connection with the surrounding. If you wear outside sound-filtering headphones, how can you hear the signals of a car behind you? Similarly, you will also be unable to hear the sirens of emergency vehicles like ambulances, police cars, or fire trucks. 

We agree that listening to a favorite playlist while riding is like a meditation that relaxes your mind. But at the same time, it presents a higher potential for road accidents. If you still want some music in your ride, you can use a reduced volume so that the outer sounds can be heard clearly.

It would be better to use hands-free devices only to answer calls if you are driving a car or riding a motorcycle. We suggest that you only answer emergency calls while driving and limit them to a few seconds, especially in peak traffic times. 

Can Cyclists Ride with Headphones?

Some states allow bikers to wear headphones or AirPods, but not in both ears. You must have one ear free to identify the sounds of the surrounding. To identify the exact rules regarding wearing Bluetooth devices in your area, you can refer to the local authorities or their official website. 

We do not recommend wearing headphones or a hands-free device unless it is an emergency. If you need to make a call, stop aside and make your conversations. 

What Happens When you Met with an Accident by a Driver Wearing AirPods?

If the law is against wearing headphones and the other vehicle’s driver has worn earplugs, you could get a recovery most of the time. But if he or she has kept one ear free, it is not considered distracted driving. The circumstances and compensations may change according to the location. 

Can Pedestrians Wear AirPods?

At present, there is no law against pedestrians walking with a pair of AirPods or hands-free. But the public, especially teenagers, are encouraged to walk on roads with proper concentration. If you need to wear earphones, limit them to one ear and volume down the sound so that you are interacting with the sounds from outside. 

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