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Mississippi driving lesson · Vehicle Equipment & Safe Driving Basics

Distractions & the cellphone law

A 3-minute lesson from the Mississippi course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Vehicle Equipment & Safe Driving Basics
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
23, 24

A distraction is anything that takes your attention away from driving: eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or your mind somewhere else. Mental distractions are just as dangerous as looking away.

Know the rule

Distracted driving can cause crashes resulting in injury, death or property damage.

Handbook p. 23 ↗

Know the rule

If you must make a phone call while driving, a hands-free device is recommended.

Handbook p. 23 ↗

Not allowed while driving:

  • Texting on your cellphone
  • Writing, sending or reading text messages
  • Reading or posting to a social networking site using a hand-held mobile telephone
Handbook p. 23 ↗

Hand-held mobile telephone

A phone or portable electronic device used with at least one hand to make a call or write, send or read a text. Voice-operated or hands-free devices don't count.

Handbook p. 23 ↗

Text message

A text-based message, instant message, electronic message or email. NOT included: emergency, traffic or weather alerts, or messages about operating or navigating the vehicle.

Handbook p. 23 ↗

Hands-free device

A device that lets you write, send or read a text without using either hand, except to activate, deactivate or start a feature or function.

Handbook p. 23 ↗

Social networking site

A web-based service where users build a profile, list other users they're connected with, and communicate with them.

Handbook p. 23 ↗

Know the rule

If you've just had an argument or are worried, ill, angry, frightened or grief-stricken, let someone else drive.

Handbook p. 24 ↗

Cut down distractions:

  • Avoid arguments and stressful or emotional conversations with passengers
  • Avoid eating while driving
  • Be sure children are properly and safely buckled up
  • Secure pets in a pet carrier or portable kennel
  • Never wear stereo headphones or play the radio loudly: you may not hear whistles and sirens
Handbook p. 24 ↗

Visual obstructions:

  • Your windshield must be free of any signs or unofficial stickers
  • No signs, posters, stickers or glass material that cause a mirrored effect on the windows
  • Avoid hanging decorative items from your rearview mirror
  • Keep the front seat clear of objects that can fall during sudden movement
Handbook p. 24 ↗

Put it into practice

A severe weather alert pops up on your phone while you drive. It isn't a banned 'text message': emergency, traffic and weather alerts are excluded. Replying to a friend's text, or scrolling social media on a hand-held phone, is not allowed.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Which of the following messages is exempt from Mississippi's texting-while-driving ban?
  1. A personal text to a friend
  2. A social media status update
  3. An emergency weather alert
  4. An email newsletter

Answer: An emergency weather alert

Text messages exclude emergency, traffic, or weather alerts, so reading those is not prohibited.

Handbook p. 23 ↗
What makes a device count as "hands-free" under Mississippi's cellphone law?
  1. It is mounted on the dashboard in a cradle
  2. It is used with only one hand at a time
  3. It uses a touchscreen instead of physical buttons
  4. It lets you text or call hands-free except to turn it on or off

Answer: It lets you text or call hands-free except to turn it on or off

A voice-operated or hands-free device allows messaging without hand use, apart from activating or deactivating it.

Handbook p. 23 ↗
What is the legal definition of a "hand-held mobile telephone" under Mississippi's distracted driving law?
  1. Any phone not mounted in a cradle
  2. A device used only for phone calls, not texting
  3. A device you use to call or text with at least one hand
  4. Any phone that is switched on in the vehicle

Answer: A device you use to call or text with at least one hand

A hand-held mobile telephone is one used for a call or text where the user engages using at least one hand.

Handbook p. 23 ↗
How does the handbook define a distraction?
  1. Anything that takes your attention away from driving
  2. Only activities that take your hands off the wheel
  3. Only activities that take your eyes off the road
  4. Only the use of a cellphone

Answer: Anything that takes your attention away from driving

A distraction is anything that takes your attention away from driving, including mental activities.

Handbook p. 23 ↗
Reading or posting to a social networking site using a hand-held mobile telephone while driving is not allowed in Mississippi.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The law specifically prohibits reading or posting to social networking sites on a hand-held phone while driving.

Handbook p. 23 ↗
It is safe to wear stereo headphones while driving as long as the volume is kept low.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Stereo headphones should never be worn while driving because they can prevent you from hearing warning signals like sirens.

Handbook p. 24 ↗
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