# The Toughest DUI Laws & DUI Penalties by State | Free Consultation ## The Toughest DUI Laws and DUI Penalties 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](https://siegfriedandjensen.com/faqs/what-are-the-facts-about-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. ![Map](/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/map.png) #### Distracted fatalities rate per 100k drivers No. of distracted crash fatalities per 100k drivers weighted by the number of drivers registered in that state. #### Distracted injury rate per 100k drivers No. of distracted crash injuries per 100k drivers weighted by the number of drivers registered in that state. #### Hand-held ban Law prohibiting use of handheld devices while driving. #### Phone ban – School bus driver Law prohibiting bus drivers from using a cellphone. #### Phone ban – Novice drivers Law prohibiting drivers <18 from using a cellphone while driving. #### Overall texting ban Law prohibiting texting while driving. #### Texting ban – School bus Law prohibiting bus drivers from texting while driving. #### Texting ban – Novices Law prohibiting drivers <18 from texting while driving. #### Minimum fine, $ Minimum fines for offenses. #### Higher fine for repeat offence Minimum fines for repeated offense. #### Further penalties Loss of license, or jail time. Overall score/100 #### Rhode Island 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 43.7 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 --- Source: https://siegfriedandjensen.com/research/toughest-dui-laws-and-dui-penalties-by-state/