{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-50-1731.04","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 50-1731.04","heading":"Restricted use of mobile telephone and other electronic devices.","body":"(a)\nNo person shall, while operating a motor vehicle in the District:\n(1)\nUse, or attempt to use, a mobile telephone or other personal wireless communications device without using a hands-free accessory; or\n(2)\nHold, or attempt to hold, a mobile telephone or other personal wireless communications device.\n\n(b)\nThe provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the following:\n(1)\nEmergency use of a mobile telephone, including calls to 911 or 311, a hospital, an ambulance service provider, a fire department, a law enforcement agency, or a first-aid squad;\n(2)\nUse of a mobile telephone by law enforcement and emergency personnel or by a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, acting within the scope of official duties;\n(3)\nInitiating or terminating a telephone call, or turning the telephone on or off; or\n(4)\nThe operation of a vehicle that has stopped on the side of, or off, an active roadway in a location where it can safely remain stationary.\n\n(c)\nNo person shall use headphones that cover both ears or earbuds in both ears while operating a motor vehicle in the District, except if the headphones or earbuds are being used to assist a hearing-impaired driver.","path":["Title 50. Motor and Non-Motor Vehicles and Traffic.","Chapter 17A. Distracted Driving Prevention."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/50-1731.04","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"1c7e228a3ca320fa0d112f50acc52370347f86493e3212fc635b3227e847fb2b","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-50-1731.03","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-50-1731.05"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}