WGK Personal Injury Lawyers | March 10, 2025 | Car Accidents
Headphones, earbuds, and over-the-ear listening devices are incredibly popular in Baltimore and across the United States. People wear headphones while walking, working out, biking, and even driving. Is it illegal to wear headphones while driving in Maryland? In most cases, yes. Drivers can be pulled over for wearing headphones or earbuds when behind the wheel on Baltimore roads.
Drivers with headphones on can be given tickets, but that is far from the worst thing that can happen. Driving with headphones can create distractions and cause a serious car accident. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a driver who could not hear or focus due to headphones, you could have a claim for compensation.
Can You Wear Headphones While Driving in Maryland?
Maryland makes it illegal for drivers to wear any type of listening device in or over both their ears while driving a vehicle. This includes headphones, earbuds, AirPods, and any other listening device that goes in or over both ears. Section 21-1120 of Maryland’s Transportation Code sets the rule on headphones while driving in Maryland.
Whether you are operating a vehicle on a public roadway or private property, you cannot wear headphones over your ears. However, if only one ear has an ear bud or listening device and the other ear is free, that is allowed under the law.
Can Drivers Be Pulled Over for Wearing Headphones in Maryland?
Drivers in Maryland suspected of driving with headphones on can be pulled over by law enforcement. Even if you only have one earbud in, an officer might stop you if it appears you could have earbuds in both ears. Sometimes, a traffic stop based on a headphones violation can lead to other infractions, like driving without insurance, expired registration, or other offenses. Put simply, driving with headphones on could attract the attention of police officers, possibly leading to infractions and fines.
Under Maryland’s Transportation Code, driving with headphones can result in a $60 ticket and one point marked against the driver’s license. If the use of headphones contributed to a car accident in Maryland, the headphones citation can include a $100 ticket and three points against the driver’s license.
Why Are There Laws Against Wearing Headphones While Driving?
Restrictions against wearing headphones are there to make sure drivers can hear other vehicles’ horns and warning sounds. If a driver can’t hear what’s going on around them, they are more likely to get into an accident and cause harm to others.
If a driver could have avoided an accident, but didn’t because they had headphones on, they could be found negligent and liable for an accident victim’s damages.
What if I Was in an Accident Caused by a Driver Wearing Headphones?
If you were involved in an accident with a driver who wore headphones, you can take legal action. Through a personal injury claim, you can seek monetary damages from the at-fault driver. In Maryland, you will need to prove the other driver’s negligence caused the accident and your injuries.
The statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident in most cases. A personal injury lawyer will use evidence to help prove the other driver’s use of headphones played a role in causing the accident.
Contact the Baltimore Car Accident Law Firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information contact the Baltimore car accident law firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 837-2144
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Dundalk Office
7329 Holabird Ave Suite 3, Dundalk, MD 21222
By appointment only
(410) 970-3080