Keep an Ear on the Road. Don’t Let your Headphones Tune Out Safety

Driving with headphones or earbuds in both ears makes it harder to hear what’s going on around you. When you’re wearing headphones while on the road, you could miss a siren, a horn, a bicycle bell, even the low hum of vehicles pulling up beside you. Now, what if you block those sounds out with headphones in both ears? You'd have less time to notice trouble. It also poses a greater risk for the drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists all sharing the road.

These cues let you know that something needs your attention, especially when it's outside your line of sight. Anything that pulls your attention from the task of driving is defined as distracted driving.

Distracted driving is a major contributor of roadway deaths and injuries. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a total of 3,208 people were killed and 315,000 were injured as a result of distracted driving in 2024 alone.

Any distracted driving is also prohibited under D.C. law. Specifically, Code § 50-1731.04 bars drivers from wearing headphones covering both ears or wearing earbuds in both ears while operating a vehicle, with an exception for drivers who need them for hearing assistance. It’s even against the law to hold your phone while driving.

When you’re behind the wheel, your attention should remain focused on the road, the vehicles around you, and pedestrians at crossings and intersections. That matters because pedestrians don’t always announce themselves. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need extra time to cross the street. When drivers stay alert, they have a better chance of noticing the unexpected and giving others the time and space they need.

What's in your ears while you're driving isn't just a personal preference, it also impacts the people you share the road with. Avoid wearing headphones or earbuds in both ears, it can save your life or prevent serious injuries and crashes.