Is it a traffic violation to drive while wearing headphones and listening to music?
2 Answers
According to the new traffic regulations, the main basis for penalizing making or receiving phone calls while driving is 'holding a phone,' meaning the hand is off the steering wheel. Therefore, driving while wearing either Bluetooth headphones or wired headphones is not considered a traffic violation and does not result in penalty points, although it is not encouraged. Advantages and disadvantages of listening to music while driving: 1. Advantages: Listening to soothing music while driving can help relax the mood and alleviate fatigue. 2. Disadvantages: The brain's filtering capacity is limited. If the traffic situation is complex, with frequent left turns, right turns, or lane changes, it is not advisable to listen to music. In such complex traffic conditions, listening to music while driving can increase the driver's error rate.
Wearing headphones while driving to listen to music is indeed a traffic violation, as I've experienced in my driving life under China's traffic regulations. Traffic police have repeatedly emphasized that according to the Road Traffic Safety Law, drivers must maintain constant awareness of their surroundings. Headphones completely block external sounds such as sirens, pedestrian shouts, or danger warnings, increasing the risk of accidents. My friend was once fined 200 yuan and received penalty points for wearing AirPods while listening to music. In reality, using Bluetooth speakers or car audio systems is safer as they allow you to hear both the music and external sounds. I recommend setting up a good Bluetooth device in your car or developing the habit of not using headphones. Safe driving is no trivial matter—once an accident occurs, regret comes too late. These rules exist to protect everyone, so don't take risks just for some music.
