A 3-minute lesson from the Utah course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
A distraction is anything that takes your mind or body away from driving. Looking away from the road or taking your hands off the wheel is dangerous. Utah law strictly limits what you may do with a handheld phone while driving, with tighter rules for drivers under 18.
Know the rule
Avoid distractions before you drive: turn off mobile devices, set your navigation, eat and groom before you leave, and secure loose items.
If you drop something, lose a contact lens, get stung by a bee, or are otherwise distracted, pull over to the side of the road right away and deal with it there.
Drivers over 18 may talk on a handheld device if voice commands connect the call. Hands-free, voice-activated technology may be used for GPS and to report safety hazards, criminal activity, and medical emergencies.
Drivers under 18 may use a handheld device while driving only for a medical emergency, to report a safety hazard or criminal activity, or to talk with a parent or legal guardian.
Two or more moving violations in one continuous period of driving, or one moving violation while distracted by things unrelated to driving (searching for an item, grooming).
You're 17 and your friend texts you while you're driving. You can't read or answer it, even at a red light on the highway. You may only use the phone for an emergency, to report a hazard or crime, or to talk with your parent.
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.
May a driver over 18 talk on a handheld wireless device while driving in Utah?
Yes, with no restriction
No, never
Only if pulled over
Yes, but only using voice commands to connect the call
Answer: Yes, but only using voice commands to connect the call
Drivers over 18 may talk on a handheld device using voice commands to connect the call.