{"data":{"id":"us-wy/wyo.-stat.-31-5-237","jurisdiction":"us-wy","citation":"Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-237","heading":"Use of handheld electronic wireless communication devices for electronic messaging prohibited; exceptions; penalties.","body":"(a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public street or highway while using a handheld electronic wireless communication device to write, send or read a text-based communication. This section shall not apply to a person who is using a handheld electronic wireless communication device:\n(i) While the vehicle is lawfully parked;\n(ii) To contact an emergency response vehicle;\n(iii) To write, read, select or enter a telephone number or name in an electronic wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a telephone call; or\n(iv) When using voice operated or hands free technology.\n(b) This section shall not apply to a person operating an emergency response vehicle while making communications necessary to the performance of his official duties as an emergency responder.\n(c) Any person who operates a motor vehicle in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seventy-five dollars ($75.00).\n(d) As used in this section:\n(i) \"Electronic wireless communication device\" means a mobile communication device that uses short-wave analog or digital radio transmissions or satellite transmissions between the device and a transmitter to permit wireless telephone communications to and from the user of the device within a specified area;\n(ii) \"Emergency response vehicle\" means any ambulance, fire department, law enforcement or civil defense vehicle or other vehicle used primarily for emergency purposes;\n(iii) \"Voice operated or hands free technology\" means technology that allows a user to write, send or read a text based communication without the use of either hand except to activate, deactivate or initiate a feature or function;\n(iv) \"Write, send or read a text-based communication\" means using an electronic wireless communications device to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message or electronic mail.","path":["TITLE 31 - MOTOR VEHICLES","CHAPTER 5 - REGULATION OF TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAYS","ARTICLE 2 - OPERATION OF VEHICLES GENERALLY"],"source_url":"https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title31.pdf","current_through":"2026 Budget Session; as of 2026-07-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T00:16:32Z","sha256":"d27f714725c1ded5a70c942a2ebd382ef7f6716a24204f9347b4bbe488a4ab48","source_id":"us-wy","stale":false,"prev":"us-wy/wyo.-stat.-31-5-236","next":"us-wy/wyo.-stat.-31-5-238"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}