Spotted a driver in town cruising through a turn with big over-ear headphones on? You’re not imagining things—and no, in Wyoming that’s not automatically illegal.
Here’s the deal: Wyoming doesn’t have a specific law banning drivers from wearing headphones or earbuds. So technically, you can wear them behind the wheel. But that doesn’t mean it’s a great idea.
Why it’s risky: headphones can muffle the sounds you actually need to drive safely—sirens from an ambulance squeezing through an intersection, a horn you didn’t see coming, or the buzz of a motorcycle in your blind spot. If you’re pumping music or taking a call in both ears, you’re shrinking your awareness just when split-second cues matter most.
The legal wrinkle: even though there’s no outright ban, wearing headphones can still come back to haunt you after a crash. Some attorneys say it can be used as evidence of negligence—one more factor suggesting you weren’t fully alert.
If you’re involved in a crash and the other driver was wearing headphones, lawyers often suggest:
- Document it at the scene (photos help).
- Ask officers to note headphone use in the report.
- Get witness info if anyone saw the headphones contributing to distraction.
Smart alternatives if you need directions or calls:
- Route audio through the car speakers at a reasonable volume.
- Keep one ear open and turn the volume down.
- Mount your phone for nav so you’re not fumbling with it.
In Wyoming, headphones while driving are legal. But your ears are part of your safety gear—use them.
The original story by Drew Kirby for KGAB AM 650.
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