Driving With Earphones/Earbuds - Legal?
 

I was always under the impression that driving with earphones or earbuds was illegal. I don't know why I thought that - I think I either learned it in driver's ed (Chicago) or maybe someone told me so - urban legend?

Then I got to thinking - what about my deaf cousin who can drive legally? Isn't that the same thing? And lately I've been noticing people driving around with their iPod earphones on. And yes, they were iPod earphones and not cellphone earpieces - I know what those look like.

Anyway, any thoughts on this subject? I just got a pair of really nice ear buds that honestly sound as good as a home stereo. Would it be stoopid of me to drive around with those things in my ears? Is there any difference from having a really loud stereo on? Most importantly, is this even legal?

Oh yeah, just thought I should mention I DO NOT drive around with an eye patch on...

Just wanted to make that clear.

i belive its illegal to do so... even though you can drive with the radio headphones do limit your hearing senses unlike a radio that is at an acceptable volume.. plus those driving with ipod headphone in their ears are stupid and should stop trying to be cool all the time.. i own an ipod i dont have it with me 24/7 .. its more like.. 23/7

I was driving once many moons ago with the stereo blasting and I didn't hear the fast approaching fire truck from behind that was trying to get around me!! :eek: You should have seen the angry looks on the crews' faces as they sped by!

Get the point?

what about driving on rural freeways with the earbuds on? I'm not going to replace the original Becker radio by some crappy 2005 Sony CD changer. I'd never use my Dell DJ in city traffic though.