# is it illegal to talk to the driver while the bus is in motion? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 27, 2019, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501 "2019-01-27T22:37:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/1 "2019-01-27T22:37:39Z")
I often see a sign on buses (city buses, airport shuttles, etc) that says “do not talk to driver while bus is in motion.” Is this a matter of bus companies setting their own policy, or is it state/federal law? I’m particularly interested in the situation in Michigan, but I can’t seem to find any mention of it online. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/2 "2019-01-27T23:37:59Z")
A few years ago, I was on a jury in a civil case where a male bus driver was accused of chatting up a cute young female passenger and not paying attention to his driving, resulting in injury to another passenger. Nobody mentioned anything about this being illegal. I would think if it were illegal, the plaintiff’s lawyer would be making a point of calling it to our attention. Of course, this is not proof that it is not illegal. And maybe it’s just illegal for a passenger to talk to the driver and not vice versa. Make of this what you will. This was in Illinois. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/3 "2019-01-27T23:39:36Z")
It could fall under distracted driving statutes, as a cognitive distraction. Conversation with a passenger is specifically mentioned. Probably only enforced this way if someone makes an obvious mistake while obviously engaged with their passenger, but of course a company is going to want to follow the letter of the law to a T to avoid any possible civil liability. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/4 "2019-01-27T23:49:19Z")
> [@Littleman](#): > > Conversation with a passenger is specifically mentioned. Where is it specifically mentioned? In a Michigan law? Which one? ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/5 "2019-01-28T01:11:17Z")
I used to practice harmonica as I waited at the bus stop in the morning. One day the bus came and there was no one else on board, so I continued to quietly practice. Until the driver said, hey put that thing away. Not very relevant, but that’s my bus driver story. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/6 "2019-01-28T02:58:34Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > I often see a sign on buses (city buses, airport shuttles, etc) that says “do not talk to driver while bus is in motion.” Is this a matter of bus companies setting their own policy, or is it state/federal law? I’m particularly interested in the situation in Michigan, but I can’t seem to find any mention of it online. Which federal law do you think might be violated? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/7 "2019-01-28T03:11:34Z")
Maybe it’s just a local policy? It would not surprise me if bus drivers get buttonholed by people trying to preach their religious and/or political views, or anything else, and that sign is a helpful way to shut them up. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/8 "2019-01-28T03:15:20Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Which federal law do you think might be violated? Obviously the OP doesn’t know, which is why the thread exists. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/9 "2019-01-28T03:56:04Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Obviously the OP doesn’t know, which is why the thread exists. Which federal law could possibly regulate speech between bus drivers and passengers? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/10 "2019-01-28T04:40:12Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Which federal law could possibly regulate speech between bus drivers and passengers? 😕 Again, that’s the point of the question. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/11 "2019-01-28T04:49:37Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Again, that’s the point of the question. Duh. Shouldn’t an adult know the answer already? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/12 "2019-01-28T05:10:14Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Which federal law could possibly regulate speech between bus drivers and passengers? 😕 A law that regulates driver safety on Federal Highways. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/13 "2019-01-28T05:32:47Z")
It damn well _should_ be. As a regular bus passenger, I’m sick to death of people holding up the bus by trying to conversate with the driver or ask them route information. Read the mapbook, people. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/14 "2019-01-28T05:46:40Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Shouldn’t an adult know the answer already? Well if you know the answer to that, then by all means, please enlighten the rest of us children. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/15 "2019-01-28T07:23:36Z")
It certainly is not illegal in Colorado. The only restriction is standing in front of a line that is roughly even with the back of the driver’s seat. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/16 "2019-01-28T09:47:58Z")
At one time MUNI buses in San Francisco all had signs behind the driver which said:\*\*\*“Information Gladly Given But Safety Requires Avoiding Unnecessary Conversation”\*\*\*This enigmatic statement apparently was intended to confuse people who otherwise would be talking to the driver, as they tried to figure out its exact purpose. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/17 "2019-01-28T11:30:58Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Shouldn’t an adult know the answer already? Don’t threadshit. In GQ, we don’t want to hear how stupid you think the question is. If you think it has a simple answer, just post the answer. You’ve been around here more than long enough to be aware of this. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/18 "2019-01-28T12:39:20Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Where is it specifically mentioned? In a Michigan law? Which one? > **[Distracted Driving](https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/ohsp/safety-programs/Distracted-Driving)** ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/19 "2019-01-28T12:57:05Z")
[https://www.candgnews.com/news/distracted-driving-of-any-type-now-a-civil-infraction-in-warren-111194](https://www.candgnews.com/news/distracted-driving-of-any-type-now-a-civil-infraction-in-warren-111194) More specially illegal and not up to police judgement here ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/20 "2019-01-28T13:32:05Z")
Neither of those two links are to the actual laws as written, and neither mentions talking to a bus driver as crime. Here are the Michigan traffic laws - [http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(fpwgv0u0xu43j4wxlg3pvc3p)](http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(fpwgv0u0xu43j4wxlg3pvc3p)))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-300-1949-VI And here is the specific law related to texting - [http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(fpwgv0u0xu43j4wxlg3pvc3p)](http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(fpwgv0u0xu43j4wxlg3pvc3p)))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-257-602b [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501.md?page=2)