# 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:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**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 28, 2019, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/21 "2019-01-28T13:34:47Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Which federal law could possibly regulate speech between bus drivers and passengers? šŸ˜• I donā€™t know, which is why Iā€™m asking. There are laws that regulate what vehicle operators in general can/cannot do while driving, and there are a whole separate set of laws that govern what drivers of limousines and buses may/may not/must/must not do while driving a limo/bus full of passengers. Just wondering if distracting the driver by engaging him/her in conversation while driving is specifically prohibited or not. > [@D'anconia](#): > > Shouldnā€™t an adult know the answer already? I fully expect that professional bus drivers know what the answer is, given that they receive special training for their jobs. I wouldnā€™t expect the general public to know. > [@Littleman](#): > > [Distracted Driving](https://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-72297_64773_22760-238359--,00.html) This link basically says distracted driving is dangerous, and lists ā€œtalking to passengersā€ as one type of distraction - but the link only mentions texting while driving as being specifically illegal. > [@Littleman](#): > > [C&G Newspapers](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 From that link: > [@candgnews](#): > > As the ordinance is written, ā€œā€˜Distracted mannerā€™ means performing an activity that diverts attention from operating the vehicle in such a way that it endangers drivers, pedestrians or property.ā€ Vinson said that includes eating, performing personal hygiene tasks, holding pets, or surfing the internet. Despite the title of the article, ā€œDistracted driving of any type now a civil infraction in Warrenā€, The phrase ā€œā€¦in such a way that it endangers drivers, pedestrians or propertyā€ does provide leeway for police judgment in whether to issue a citation. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/22 "2019-01-28T15:10:42Z")
If it is illegal, then Iā€™ve brokon that law hundreds of times. I often engage the edriver in friendly chitchat, especially to tell them if they give good service. OTOH, I have heard bus drivers tell unruly, loud passengers (particularly those on their cell phones) to quiet down or leave the bus. When one passenger refused to do either, the driver threatened to call the police on her. She let, making threats about calling the company and lawsuits. I think itā€™s entirely the driverā€™s call. If a driver tells me not to talk to thm, I immediately shut up. And yes, those passengers who stop the bus and try to get information on other buses are a pain in the butt in this day of Internet apps. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/23 "2019-01-28T15:20:18Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Maybe itā€™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. Or just yammering away on the minutiae of the day. Some lonely folks will latch onto any captive audience and spend as much time as they can get away with bending their ears, and Iā€™ve certainly observed this firsthand. Iā€™m guessing that, even where not illegal, the no-talking rule is a bus company statute which allows the driver to tell unwanted yammerers to sit down and shut up. Conversely Iā€™ve seen drivers chatting while driving with people they apparently wanted to talk to. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/24 "2019-01-28T15:33:16Z")
If it was explicitly prohibited by a law (rather than a possible interpretation of a general law about distracted driving), I suspect that the sign would read something along the lines of ā€œSpeaking to the driver while the bus is in motion is prohibited by law.ā€ ---
**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, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/25 "2019-01-28T18:15:17Z")
In other words, itā€™s basically only illegal after it causes a problem. Much like driving too fast for conditions. It would need to be really obvious and really excessive to get cited for before it causes a problem. ---
**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, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/26 "2019-01-28T18:26:37Z")
Troy has a similar law that prohibits any type of distracted driving, so does Detroit. I suspect city ordinance is going to be more specific than statewide. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/27 "2019-01-28T18:40:36Z")
It may be illegal for the driver to be distracted, but that doesnā€™t address whether it is illegal to distract the driver. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2019, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/28 "2019-01-29T05:10:58Z")
I seem to remember that the notices posted on intercity buses said something about Interstate Commerce Commission regulations, and Iā€™ll bet there was one that could be interpreted that way. But the ICC was eliminated in the 1980s, and Iā€™m not sure where to look nowadays. Surface Transportation Board regs? ---
**Author:** ![Gbro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Gbro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gbro)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501/29 "2019-01-29T17:05:59Z")
I drive a transit bus requiring a CDL w/passenger endorsement. In our CDL Drivers Manual; Sec 4 Transporting Passengers Safely, 4.5 Prohibited Practices ā€¦ Donā€™t talk with riders, or engage in any other distracted activity, while driving. The rule is directed at the driver. I would bet there are DOT enforceable laws to back up everything Prohibited. Yes i, and all of us do communicate with our passengers as needed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-talk-to-the-driver-while-the-bus-is-in-motion/828501.md?page=1)