Texting while driving is illegal in Kansas, but can you make a call? What the law says

Lindsay Smith
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The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration reports distracted driving caused 3,522 deaths in 2021. The administration calls distracted driving “anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving,” with texting cited as the most alarming distraction.

Data from Forbes show in 2020, 13% of all fatal crashes caused by distracted driving were from texting. Additionally, 9% of all distracted driving crashes were the result of texting.

The NHTSA says texting while at 55 miles per hour is the equivalent driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

In Kansas it’s illegal to send or read any text message while behind the wheel. So, what about making a phone call? What if it’s an emergency? Here’s a quick refresher.

When can you use your cell phone while driving in Kansas?

The law reads, “no person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public road or highway while using a wireless communications device to write, send or read a written communication.”

There are a few exceptions, however, to the “no texting while driving” law. If you need to make a phone call, you are allowed to use your phone to read, enter or select the telephone number.

Making phone calls while behind the wheel can still lead to distracted driving, even if you are using “hands-free devices.”

Other exceptions include:

  • You’re stopped off the used portion of the road

  • You’re reading an emergency, traffic or weather alert message

  • You’re reading a message about the operation or navigation of the motor vehicle

  • You’re reporting illegal activity or preventing injury to person or property

Additionally, law enforcement officers and emergency personnel are exempt from the law, as long as they’re working in the scope of their employment.

While there are exceptions to the texting ban, anything that may take your eyes off the road can lead to distracted driving and should be avoided.

To reduce temptation, the Kansas Department of Transportation recommends putting your phone on do not disturb before taking the wheel or keeping phones out of sight, in a location like the glove box or trunk.

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