Can KY drivers use headphones? What about state law?

Listening to your favorite Taylor Swift song or true crime podcast while driving can make your drive a lot more enjoyable.

However, listening to your favorite songs using audio devices such as AirPods instead of your car stereo while driving can cause problems for you and other drivers.

Is it safe to use earphones or headphones while driving? Is it legal in Kentucky? Here’s what you need to know.

Click to change size

Can drivers in Kentucky legally listen on headphones while driving?

Kentucky driving laws do not specifically mention the use of headphones. The laws prohibiting the use of devices while driving only cover personal communication devices, which are defined in Kentucky Statute 189.292.

The statute states that these devices include any device capable of two-way communication that notifies the driver. These include mobile phones and paging devices.

Headphones, which are audio devices, are not included in this category.

Lt. Joe Anderson of the Lexington Police Department does not recommend drivers listen to audio through headphones while driving.

“They provide no benefit to driving and simply take away your ability to be fully aware of your surroundings,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the combination of headphone audio and a newer car’s ability to block out external noise can make it more difficult for drivers, making them more susceptible to other traffic violations or accidents.

“We all use the horn to warn people, and if you don’t hear someone’s horn warning you that there’s something ahead of you or you veer out of your lane, you’re going to hit someone in the side or something much worse,” Anderson said.

Anderson also said that using headphones while driving can make it difficult for drivers to hear the sirens of emergency vehicles.

“If you have something (headphones) in your ears, it will probably be louder than your car radio,” Anderson said. “I just think you really limit your ability to see and hear (and) just be more aware of what’s going on around you.”

Is this legal in other states?

According to Forbes, only seven U.S. states have laws that completely prohibit wearing headphones while driving. These include Alaska, California, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Virginia and Washington.

Some states, such as Ohio and New York, allow the use of headphones while driving if they are only placed on one ear. In states such as Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania, telephone calls are only allowed in one ear.