Hands Free Policy Brief

Owning a motor vehicle and a smartphone are modern conveniences that most Nebraskans were accustomed to by 2024. 1 The combination has, however, proven to be a modern challenge for roadway safety. Traffic crashes stemming from cellphone distractions have increased steadily since 2016, and traffic fatalities have fared no better since 2019. 2 Cellphone laws restricting the use of cellular devices while operating a motor vehicle may offer some relief. Although most states, including Nebraska, have text-messaging bans, others have begun instituting additional legislative mandates prohibiting cellphones while driving—often termed a hands-free policy (HFP). The purpose of this policy brief is to outline the prevalence of HFP adoption in the United States, as well as variation in policy language used, penalties and fines applied, and accompanying countermeasures that may help maximize its effectiveness. This information may be used to inform ongoing discussions about whether to adopt HFP legislation in Nebraska.