If the radio in your car isn’t working, you may be tempted to use your headphones to listen to music or the latest episode of your favorite podcast.
But is that legal?
Most states don’t have specific laws on driving with headphones, though approximately 17 prohibit the practice, The Shreveport Times reported.
Here’s what Wisconsin drivers should know:
Is it legal to drive with headphones or earbuds in Wisconsin?
There’s currently no law in Wisconsin that prohibits driving with headphones or earbuds, the state Department of Transportation told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in an email.
However, if their use is a “contributing factor to a traffic crash or other unsafe driving behavior,” you could be issued an inattentive driving citation, transportation officials said.
Those cited for inattentive driving in Wisconsin can be fined between $20 and $400, according to state statutes.
“The use of headphones or earbuds is highly discouraged as they can severely decrease a driver’s awareness of emergency vehicles and other motorists,” the department said.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Is it legal to drive with headphones in Wisconsin? See what the law says
Reporting by Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
