MISLEADING
Viral claims about North Carolina's distracted driving law exaggerated restrictions. The law prohibits handheld phone use while driving but includes exceptions for hands-free devices, GPS navigation, and emergency calls. Social media posts omitted these provisions.
When North Carolina updated its distracted driving law in 2025, viral social media posts claimed the law banned all wireless device use in vehicles. The actual legislation prohibits handheld phone use while driving but explicitly allows hands-free devices, mounted GPS navigation, and one-touch controls. The law follows similar legislation in other states aimed at reducing distracted driving crashes.
The Exaggerated Claims
Social media posts claimed NC banned all phone use in vehicles [3].
Some posts suggested even passengers couldn't use phones [4].
The Actual Law
The law prohibits handheld phone use by drivers only [1].
Hands-free devices, GPS, and one-touch controls are explicitly allowed [2].
Purpose of the Law
The law aims to reduce distracted driving crashes, which cause thousands of deaths annually [13].
Similar laws exist in 29 other states [6].
Conclusion
Claims about NC's wireless driving ban were misleading. The law targets handheld phone use by drivers and includes reasonable exceptions. Viral posts exaggerated restrictions.