Headphones while Driving

[OriginHacker21]

In the state of California is there a law against listening to music on head phones/ear phones while driving a car?

Reason: I drive 110 miles to work in the morning and co-worker hitches a ride (helps pay for gas) - he's usually asleep so I bought an MP3 player with headphones.

Problem: Websites claim every single answer in the book: No headphones, only in one ear, it is ok. I've asked several people and gotten the same answers.

Anyone know?

Thanks, -Paul

 

[XS650]

One head phone on/in one ear is all that's allowed for the driver in Caifornia. You can also find the motor vehicle code online and check it yourself, which is always better than web rumors.

 

[Schmoe]

That would be difficult to hear in stereo.

 

[OriginHacker21]

Thank you for the info - Didnt cross my mind to check the DMV's website... Still trying to figure out why.

 

[moribundman]

Let me say it this way, regardless of whether or not driving with headphones (one or two speakers) is legal, I wouldn't want to be driven by a driver who won't hear reasonably well because of headphones or a bluetooth device.

That said, cars are getting increasingly quieter with their insulated passenger compartments. For that reason, I usually drive in the city with windows cracked open on both sides.

I suppose if you are legally deaf you may wear headphones while driving.

 

[OriginHacker21]

Wait, so how does that work? Deaf people can drive but people who can hear can't drive with headphones?

lol

I'll agree with your Mori - I usually have my windows down as well. My morning work commute at 4:30am-6:30am thankfully doesn't have a lot of people on it.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by OriginHacker21:
Wait, so how does that work? Deaf people can drive but people who can hear can't drive with headphones?

lol

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A deaf person will normally compensate by using their other senses, in this case vision.

The bozo diddy-bopping down the road with head phones on is most likely paying less attention to his visual surroundings than if he didn't have the headphones on.

 

[mechtech]

The deaf person doen't have the added distraction of the extra sounds provided by the headphones.

 

[moribundman]

quote:

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A deaf person will normally compensate by using their other senses, in this case vision.

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Which leads me to believe that 30% of all drivers are actually legally deaf and blind.

 

[OriginHacker21]

Very true. So if headphones cause distraction then it is safe to assume that car sound systems (stereo) cause distraction.

lol, I agree mori.