Can you wear headphones or AirPods while driving in NC? Here’s what state law says
Many drivers like to listen to music, podcasts and audiobooks to get through their morning commutes, but doing any of those things with headphones can have deadly consequences.
Wearing headphones while behind the wheel is a form of distracted driving, which increases the risk of accidents, according to Raleigh-based Whitley Law Firm.
“A major part of a driver’s awareness while driving relies upon their ability to hear what is happening around them,” the firm says. “By placing a sound source directly in their ears, drivers automatically reduce their awareness and overall reaction times,”
Driving with headphones — a category which includes earphones, earbuds and AirPods — may be unsafe, but is it illegal in North Carolina? Here’s what state law says.
Can you wear headphones while driving in NC?
In North Carolina, there is no law that prohibits drivers from wearing headphones — but those who choose to wear them run the risk of breaking other laws.
Headphones could prevent drivers from hearing emergency sirens on the road, meaning they would not know to pull over and let them pass, according to the N.C. Advocates for Justice, a legal nonprofit organization.
Drivers who fail to pull over for emergency vehicles can be charged with a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to state law.
Wearing headphones while driving is also illegal in Georgia and Virginia, meaning drivers who cross state lines could be charged.
Why you should try transparency mode
Though driving with headphones is not recommended, “transparency mode” can come in handy for those who insist on wearing them on the road.
The feature lets users hear what’s going on around them without actually taking them off, according to CNET.
Most new headphones and earbuds come with the feature, such as Apple AirPods and Bose QuietComfort earbuds.
This story was originally published November 6, 2023 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Can you wear headphones or AirPods while driving in NC? Here’s what state law says."
