Nebraska Distracted Driving Laws

Drive focused, drive lawful, drive safer — you’ll want to know what Nebraska’s distracted driving rules actually ban and who they affect. You can’t read, type, or send written messages while the vehicle’s moving, it’s currently a secondary offense for most drivers, novice drivers face tighter limits, and hands‑free tech is allowed—yet lawmakers are pushing to make handheld use a primary violation, which would change enforcement and penalties. Want the essentials and practical steps?

Key Takeaways

• Nebraska bans reading, typing, or sending written communications on handheld wireless devices while driving (texting prohibition).
• Texting while driving is currently a secondary offense; officers must observe another violation before citing device use.
• Penalties include fines typically $200–$500 and three license points, with higher fines for repeat violations.
• Hands-free use and GPS navigation by voice are allowed, while manual device use and novice-driver interactive device use are prohibited.
• Legislation (LB594) has been proposed to make handheld device use a primary offense to improve enforcement and reduce distraction crashes.

Nebraska’s Current Distracted Driving Laws

Although Nebraska already bans reading, typing, or sending written communications on a handheld wireless device while your vehicle is moving or temporarily stopped, you can still use hands-free systems and GPS without violating the law. It covers cell phones, tablets, and laptops. You’re safe from a stop solely for this secondary offense—officers must pull you over for another violation first. You’ll face $200–$500 fines and three points on your license if caught. Driver education and safety campaigns promote compliance to curb risks, yet enforcement challenges persist.

What Devices Are Covered

Nebraska’s distracted driving laws cover handheld wireless communication devices like cell phones, tablets, laptops, and pagers used for written communication.

You’re prohibited from reading, typing, or sending messages on these devices while driving, even if temporarily stopped, though you can use hands-free options or GPS navigation without manual input.

Commercial drivers face a total handheld ban but may use hands-free devices in emergencies, while emergency personnel are exempt during official duties.

Covered Device Types

A covered device under Nebraska’s distracted-driving rules includes any handheld wireless communication device that lets you send, receive, or display written messages—specifically named examples are mobile/cellular phones, tablets, personal digital assistants, pagers, and laptop computers for written communication. You’re prohibited from reading, typing, or sending written communications via these covered device types while your vehicle is in motion or temporarily stopped. You can use hands-free devices like Bluetooth headsets, as they don’t require holding. Device usage bans extend to commercial drivers and school bus operators, except in emergencies; emergency personnel get exceptions during duties, and you may use GPS navigation without manual entry or scrolling.

Hands-Free Allowance

You’re exempt if you’re emergency personnel on duty.

Commercial Driver Rules

Commercial drivers in Nebraska face stricter rules than other motorists, as statutes ban handheld wireless communication devices entirely while your vehicle is in motion, including temporary stops. You’re prohibited from any use except emergencies, including reading, writing, or sending messages—texting counts as a serious offense. Stick to hands-free devices only; no manual entry or scrolling contacts while driving. Violations trigger severe penalties like fines and license points. Prioritize driver training and safety programs to reinforce these rules and protect road safety.

Important Exceptions to Know

You can use handheld devices as emergency personnel during official duties without legal issues.

In genuine emergencies, you may use your device for essential communication if safety demands it.

Nebraska law also permits you to use GPS navigation for directions, as well as hands-free calls activated by one button press.

Emergency Personnel Use

Genuine Emergency Situations

When a true emergency threatens life or serious injury, Nebraska law lets drivers use handheld devices to call for help or report an accident, and it explicitly permits emergency personnel to use devices while performing official duties.

Emergency definitions limit this to situations requiring immediate action to protect life or prevent serious injury—you can’t claim it for routine tasks.

Understand device limitations: you’re allowed GPS navigation, but you still can’t enter addresses or scroll contacts while driving, even in emergencies.

Prioritize safety; minimize distractions to avoid risks.

GPS Navigation Allowed

Although GPS navigation is permitted in Nebraska, you must avoid manually entering addresses or scrolling contacts while the vehicle’s in motion.

You may use GPS in a hands-free way so audio directions guide you without manual interaction, complying with GPS usage guidelines.

You can press a single button to initiate or answer calls without violating hands-free rules, but multi-step dialing or manipulating the device is prohibited to maintain navigational device safety.

Emergency personnel and drivers in genuine emergencies are exempt when performing official duties.

Follow these limits: set destinations before driving, use mounts and voice control, and pull over if adjustments are needed.

Secondary vs. Primary Enforcement

1. You won’t be stopped just for holding a phone, so officers must already cite another offense to ticket you.
2. That restriction limits proactive deterrence and lets many risky behaviors go unchecked.
3. States with primary enforcement let police stop drivers for handheld use, which has reduced distracted driving incidents.
4. Shifting to primary enforcement would strengthen deterrence and simplify enforcement.

Proposed Hands-Free Legislation

You’ll want to know that LB594 would ban holding or otherwise using a handheld wireless device while driving and make that violation a primary offense, letting officers stop drivers solely for phone use.

Proponents say the change — plus limited exceptions for things like emergency response and utility crews — aims to reduce crashes caused by distraction and strengthen enforcement beyond the current secondary-texting rule.

Evidence from other states with hands‑free laws suggests distracted driving incidents dropped roughly 6%–19%, a range supporters cite when estimating expected crash reductions under LB594.

LB594 Provisions

1. Prohibits handheld device use while driving, aligning with national hands-free trends.
2. Empowers officers to pull you over directly for violations.
3. Addresses safety by curbing accidents and fatalities from distractions.
4. Supports Governor’s push for passage to save lives.

Primary Offense Shift

LB594 proposes shifting Nebraska’s texting-while-driving law from a secondary to a primary offense.

You’ll face a traffic stop solely for holding or using a handheld device while driving, unlike now when officers must cite you for another violation first.

This empowers law enforcement to act directly, boosting public safety by curbing distracted driving.

Similar hands-free laws in other states cut incidents by 6% to 19%, signaling LB594’s potential to reduce Nebraska’s rising fatalities.

You’re compelled to keep eyes on the road, as current limits hinder enforcement efforts against deadly handheld use.

Expected Crash Reductions

You’ll benefit from these crash prevention strategies:

1. Officers stop you solely for phone use, curbing distractions immediately.
2. In 2017, 4,699 Nebraska drivers crashed from distractions; LB594 slashes that risk.
3. Improved enforcement mirrors proven laws, cutting incidents significantly.
4. Driver education initiatives increase awareness, fostering safer habits for you.

Penalties and Consequences

Nebraska’s texting-while-driving penalties start with fines from $200 to $500 and add three points to your driver’s license, escalating for repeat offenses.

It’s a secondary offense, so officers must stop you first for another violation before citing phone use. These penalty implications threaten license revocation at 12 points in two years, directly impacting driving safety—2017 saw 19 distracted driving fatalities.

Commercial drivers face a total handheld ban, except emergencies.

Proposed bills like LB594 could make it primary, letting cops pull you over solely for device use, boosting enforcement.

Nebraska Texting Law Details

Nebraska’s texting law prohibits you from using a handheld wireless device to read, type, or send communications—like texts, emails, or web access—while driving, including when you’re temporarily stopped with the engine running.

You’ll face fines of $200 to $500 plus three points on your license for violations, which applies to all drivers and can raise your insurance rates.

This secondary offense means police can’t pull you over just for texting; they must stop you for another violation first.

Prohibited Actions

1. Reading messages diverts your eyes from the road.
2. Typing takes hands off the wheel.
3. Sending texts demands split attention.
4. Violations add three points to your license with $200–$500 fines.

Penalties Assessed

You’ll face penalty escalation: $300 for a second offense. Each infraction adds three points, potentially leading to revocation after 12 points in two years. As a secondary offense, officers can’t stop you solely for texting—you must commit another violation first, creating enforcement challenges that limit deterrence. Commercial drivers face stricter rules, but you’re exempt if you’re emergency personnel on duty. Use GPS without typing to stay legal.

Vehicle Coverage

This promotes vehicle safety by applying to:

1. All motor vehicles in motion, including when you’re temporarily stopped at lights or in traffic.
2. Commercial vehicles with the motor running, even during brief delays.
3. Standard passenger cars, where violations add three points to your license with insurance implications.
4. Any scenario distracting you from the road, except emergencies or hands-free GPS without manual input.

Novice Driver Restrictions

Nebraska classifies novice drivers—those with a Learner’s Permit, School Permit, Provisional Operator’s Permit, or Operator’s Permit—as prohibited from using interactive wireless devices while driving.

You’re banned from text messaging, phone calls, or internet access to minimize distractions and boost your road safety as you gain experience.

This law creates a distraction-free environment, reducing accident risks during your early drives.

Novice driver enforcement is strict; violations trigger fines and license points.

Adopt distracted driving education to comply—keep devices off, eyes on the road, and build safe habits from day one.

Cell Phone Use Best Practices

1. Avoid reading or sending texts; it distracts your eyes from the road for about five seconds—equivalent to driving a football field’s length at 55 mph blind.
2. Turn off notifications to resist temptation and prevent cognitive overload.
3. Use voice commands if needed, but prioritize full attention on driving.
4. Model these habits for passengers, reinforcing safer roads for all.

Definition of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving means you operate a vehicle while tasks like texting, phoning, or using devices distract your attention from the road.

Texting alone takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds—at 55 mph, that’s traveling a football field’s length blind.

In Nebraska, it contributed to 28% of crashes, with 4,699 drivers involved in 2017, causing 19 fatalities. Nationwide, it killed 3,450 in 2016.

Maintain driver awareness to avoid these risks.

Safety campaigns urge hands-free practices, reinforcing laws to protect you and others on the road.

Distracted Driving Statistics in Nebraska

1. In 2017, 4,699 drivers faced distracted driving crashes, with 19 fatalities.
2. You’re part of a state where 2021 marked a record 251 roadway deaths, urging action.
3. Compared to Ohio and Colorado’s 19% drop post-hands-free laws, Nebraska lags.
4. Boost driver education now to curb this, as you drive safer roads.

Signs of Distracted Driving

Spot signs of distracted driving early to stay safe on Nebraska roads, where it fueled 28% of crashes in the record 251-fatality year.

Spot distracted drivers early — swerving, drifting, delayed braking, or crossing center lines signal danger.

You’ll spot distracted driving behaviors by identifying distraction sign like nearly striking objects, vehicles, or pedestrians, showing clear lack of focus.

Watch for failure to maintain lane control—you’ll see swerving or drifting. Erratic actions, such as driving into opposing lanes or crossing the center line, scream distraction.

You’ll also notice slow responses to traffic signals, including delayed braking or acceleration.

Spot these early; react to protect yourself.

Managing Driver Distraction

When you prioritize managing driver distraction before and during a trip, you sharply reduce crash risk and keep attention where it belongs—on the road.

You’ll practice driver mindfulness and distraction awareness by parking your phone and enabling notifications before driving.

Pull over safely to take or make calls so you can focus on communication without risking safety. Use passengers to change music or monitor GPS, keeping your hands and eyes on driving.

Research and plan routes ahead to avoid on-road navigation distractions. Secure pets so they won’t roam and divert your attention while you’re behind the wheel.

Protecting Yourself and Others

Nebraska bans texting, reading, or typing on handheld devices while driving—even when stopped at lights or in traffic—with fines of $200–$500 and three points on your license.

Distracted driving caused 28% of Nebraska crashes and 4,699 incidents in 2017, killing 19 people, so boost your driver awareness by mounting your phone and using voice commands.

Adopt safe practices: silence notifications, pull over fully to text, and keep eyes on the road.

> Adopt safe practices: silence notifications, pull over fully to text, and keep eyes on the road.

Proposed laws will make violations primary offenses, enabling stops for phone use alone.

You’re protecting yourself, passengers, and others—stay focused to avoid tragedy.

State-by-State Distracted Driving Laws: Texting Bans, Handheld Rules & Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Distracted Driving Laws in Nebraska?

You can’t use handheld devices to read, type, or send texts while driving in Nebraska; it’s a secondary offense with distracted driving penalties of $200-$500 fines and 3 license points. Complete traffic safety education and support primary enforcement bills like LB594.

What Is the Cell Phone Law in Nebraska?

You’re banned from reading, typing, or sending messages while driving; cell phone penalties include $200–$500 fines and three license points for texting violations, and officers can ticket only as a secondary offense.

Am I Allowed to Touch My Phone While Driving?

No, you can’t touch your phone to read, type, or send written communications while driving. Limit phone usage to hands-free calls or GPS; manual handling risks fines and points, undermining driving safety. It’s a secondary offense.

What Is the Law 75 362 in Nebraska?

Nebraska Revised Statute 75-362 prohibits you from using handheld wireless devices for reading, typing, or sending written communications while driving. Law enforcement enforces it as a secondary offense with legal penalties of $200–$500 fines and 3 points on your license.

Conclusion

You stay safe by ditching handheld devices while driving—Nebraska’s secondary laws mean fines hit $200–$500 after another violation, but LB594 pushes primary enforcement to stop you on sight. Novice drivers face bans, hands-free works fine. Remember the adage: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Keep eyes on the road; one distraction claims lives yearly. Drive focused—you control the outcome.