The Toughest DUI Laws & DUI Penalties by State
Ranked By State
Over time it has become a lot easier for drivers to get distracted while on the road. Because of
this, states have been implementing laws to reduce the risk of distracted driving related accidents.
We scored each state on 11 metrics related to their distracted driving accident statistics,
legislation, and penalties, to give us a ranking of the strictest and most lenient states when it
comes to distracted driving.
Toughest
State
Ranking
i
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers
No. of distracted crash fatalities per 100k drivers weighted by
the number of drivers registered in that state.
i
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers
No. of distracted crash injuries per 100k drivers weighted by the
number of drivers registered in that state.
i
Hand-held ban
Law prohibiting use of handheld devices while driving.
i
Phone ban – School bus driver
Law prohibiting bus drivers from using a cellphone.
i
Phone ban – Novice drivers
Law prohibiting drivers <18 from using a cellphone while
driving.
i
Overall texting ban
Law prohibiting texting while driving.
i
Texting ban – School bus
Law prohibiting bus drivers from texting while driving.
i
Texting ban – Novices
Law prohibiting drivers <18 from texting while driving.
i
Minimum fine, $
Minimum fines for offenses.
i
Higher fine for repeat offence
Minimum fines for repeated offense.
i
Further penalties
Loss of license, or jail time.
Overall
score
/100
Rhode Island
1
84.3
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 7.6
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2.5
Further penalties: None
Maine
2
82.2
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.6
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 118.7
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 150
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2.5
Further penalties: None
Connecticut
3
80.4
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.3
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 127.9
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 150
Higher fine for repeat offence: 3.3
Further penalties: None
Vermont
4
80.1
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.2
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 50.2
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 125
Higher fine for repeat offence: 3
Further penalties: None
Illinois
5
74.4
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.4
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 118.1
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <19
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 75
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1.7
Further penalties: None
California
6
74.0
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.4
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 153.1
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 162
Higher fine for repeat offence: 0.7
Further penalties: None
Massachusetts
7
73.8
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.8
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 119
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 5
Further penalties: None
Nevada
8
73.6
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.5
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 28.3
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 50
Higher fine for repeat offence: 5
Further penalties: None
Georgia
9
73.6
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.8
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 51.6
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 50
Higher fine for repeat offence: 3
Further penalties: None
Minnesota
10
73.3
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.8
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 122.3
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 50
Higher fine for repeat offence: 5.5
Further penalties: None
West Virginia
11
72.0
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.2
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 18.2
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 3
Further penalties: None
New Jersey
12
71.9
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.4
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 144.4
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 300
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2.7
Further penalties: None
Washington D.C.
13
71.1
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.6
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 210.3
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2
Further penalties: None
Maryland
14
70.4
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.9
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 7.4
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 75
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2.3
Further penalties: None
Washington
15
68.7
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.9
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 74.2
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 136
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1.7
Further penalties: None
Tennessee
16
68.6
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.9
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 131.6
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 50
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2
Further penalties: None
New Hampshire
17
68.3
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.7
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 100.9
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
Delaware
18
68.0
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.1
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 154.4
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 3
Further penalties: None
Arkansas
19
65.7
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.6
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 167
Hand-held ban: Learner
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 250
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2
Further penalties: None
Hawaii
20
64.4
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 2.5
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 64.6
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 250
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
Oregon
21
62.7
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 214.2
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 260
Higher fine for repeat offence: 7.7
Further penalties: None
Ohio
22
60.4
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.6
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 33.3
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 150
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
New York
23
59.9
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.8
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 207
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 125
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2
Further penalties: None
Virginia
24
57.9
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.9
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 106.2
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 125
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2
Further penalties: None
Louisiana
25
57.6
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 3.1
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 190.1
Hand-held ban: Learner
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 500
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2
Further penalties: None
Michigan
26
57.0
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 117
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2
Further penalties: None
Utah
27
55.8
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.7
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 180.9
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 750
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: Jail time
Nebraska
28
54.3
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.8
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 188
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 200
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2.5
Further penalties: None
New Mexico
29
53.8
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 8.7
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 136.9
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 25
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2
Further penalties: None
Florida
30
52.8
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.4
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 250.9
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Yes
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 30
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2
Further penalties: None
Wyoming
31
52.0
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.7
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 85.7
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 75
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
South Dakota
32
51.8
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.8
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 122.4
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: Misdemeanour
Colorado
33
51.5
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.2
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 12.4
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 50
Higher fine for repeat offence: 4
Further penalties: None
Mississippi
34
51.2
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.4
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 202.6
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
Iowa
35
50.5
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.9
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 99.9
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 30
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
North Dakota
36
49.1
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.9
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 111.3
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
Kentucky
37
46.8
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 4
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 81
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 25
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2
Further penalties: None
Alaska
38
46.6
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.9
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 6.8
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 0
Higher fine for repeat offence: 0
Further penalties: Misdemeanour
Wisconsin
39
45.3
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.2
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 140.4
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 30
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2.5
Further penalties: None
Kansas
40
45.2
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 4.5
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 91.4
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: Learner
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 60
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
Arizona
41
45.0
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 103.5
Hand-held ban: Yes
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: No
Texting ban – School bus: No
Texting ban – Novices: No
Minimum fine, $: 112
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1.8
Further penalties: None
Pennsylvania
42
44.0
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.8
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 134.2
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 50
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
Indiana
43
43.7
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.6
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 155.1
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <21
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 0
Higher fine for repeat offence: 0
Further penalties: None
North Carolina
44
42.4
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 250.9
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 100
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
Idaho
45
41.8
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.9
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 109.1
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 85
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
Oklahoma
46
40.6
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.9
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 132.5
Hand-held ban: Learner
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: no minimum stated
Higher fine for repeat offence: 0
Further penalties: Loss of license
Alabama
47
38.7
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.2
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 180
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 25
Higher fine for repeat offence: 3
Further penalties: None
South Carolina
48
33.9
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.8
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 152.4
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: Yes
Texting ban – School bus: Covered
Texting ban – Novices: Covered
Minimum fine, $: 25
Higher fine for repeat offence: 1
Further penalties: None
Montana
49
23.4
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 0.7
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 49.1
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: No
Texting ban – School bus: No
Texting ban – Novices: No
Minimum fine, $: 0
Higher fine for repeat offence: 0
Further penalties: None
Texas
50
18.3
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.9
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 229.6
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: Yes if pass <17
Phone ban – Novice drivers: <18
Overall texting ban: No
Texting ban – School bus: Yes if pass <17
Texting ban – Novices: <18
Minimum fine, $: 62
Higher fine for repeat offence: 2.4
Further penalties: None
Missouri
51
8.8
Distracted fatalitles rate per 100k drivers: 1.7
Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers: 167.6
Hand-held ban: No
Phone ban – School bus driver: No
Phone ban – Novice drivers: No
Overall texting ban: No
Texting ban – School bus: No
Texting ban – Novices: <21
Minimum fine, $: 0
Higher fine for repeat offence: 0
Further penalties: None
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