It is not legal to use your cell phone while driving in New Jersey if you do so manually (using a handheld electronic device). Texting while driving is something lawmakers in New Jersey take seriously. The state’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety reports that nearly 800,000 car accidents in a four-year span involved distracted drivers. In an effort to prevent handheld cell phone use while driving, New Jersey bans all manual cell phone use with only a few exceptions:
The driver fears for his or her life or safety and needs to make an emergency call.
The driver believes a crime is being committed or perpetrated against a person.
The driver needs to report an emergency, such as a suspected drunk driver or car accident.
Other than in these scenarios, a driver cannot lawfully use a handheld cell phone behind the wheel. The law applies to all forms of handheld cell phone use, including texting, emailing and making phone calls. A driver in New Jersey can, however, use a hands-free device while driving, such as a device that uses talk-to-text technology or Bluetooth.