Are you allowed to hold your cell phone to look at a text or listen to voice mail while stopped at a red light?
- No. You may not hold and operate a hand held device at any time while driving. This includes when stopped at a red light. ✓
- Yes, but only if the light has just turned red.
- You may hold your phone listen to a voice mail message only.
- You may read a quick text only.
Answer: A. No. You may not hold and operate a hand held device at any time while driving. This includes when stopped at a red light.
No. You may not hold and operate a hand-held device at any time while driving, including when you are stopped at a red light.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says all B.C. drivers, including GLP drivers, are banned from using hand-held electronic devices while driving. It specifically lists operating, viewing or holding a hand-held cellphone, and sending or reading texts. It also says the law applies whenever you are in control of the vehicle, even when stopped at a red light or in bumper-to-bumper traffic. A red light does not create an exception for holding your phone to check a text or listen to messages. For learner and novice drivers, the device restrictions are even broader.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Yes, but only if the light has just turned red. — The handbook gives no exception for a light that has just turned red; the ban applies even when you are stopped at a red light.
- C. You may hold your phone listen to a voice mail message only. — Listening to voice mail still involves holding or operating a hand-held device, which the handbook prohibits while you are in control of the vehicle.
- D. You may read a quick text only. — Reading even a quick text is covered by the ban on reading texts while driving, including when stopped at a red light.
Remember it
A red light is still driving time: keep the phone out of your hand.