# Wearing headsets or earplugs while driving

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-headsets-or-earplugs-while-driving/568613>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 23, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-headsets-or-earplugs-while-driving/568613 "2011-01-23T00:23:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-headsets-or-earplugs-while-driving/568613/1 "2011-01-23T00:23:01Z")

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I was reading my weekly email blurb from Snopes and was reminded of something I’ve wondered about for quite a while.  
While riding with a friend in his Mercedes I noticed how quiet the car is. There was no siren (I think) sounding at the time, so I’m wondering if the sound proofing of the car plus any noise canceling device could block a siren’s wail. If so, would it be illegal?  
Peace,  
mangeorge

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**Author:** ![CatherineZeta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CatherineZeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatherineZeta)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-headsets-or-earplugs-while-driving/568613/2 "2011-01-23T00:26:49Z")

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I did a quick Google search and it depends on the state, but many states do have laws stating that it’s either all out illegal, or the earbuds can only be in one ear. In NYC riding a bicycle while wearing headphones is illegal (presumably it is while driving a car as well).

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**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-headsets-or-earplugs-while-driving/568613/3 "2011-01-23T00:35:25Z")

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In California it is illegal to drive wearing headphones.

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-headsets-or-earplugs-while-driving/568613/4 "2011-01-23T00:41:13Z")

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I live in New Hampshire, and[I wear one of these](http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/backbeat-903) every day. Live free or die!

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-headsets-or-earplugs-while-driving/568613/5 "2011-01-23T01:05:41Z")

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I meant to ask would it be illeagl to drive a car that was so well sound proofed that you wouldn’t be able to hear a siren with the windows cloesd,  
Some are very quiet, including the Mercedes I mentioned. I couldn’t hear _anything_ from outside the car.