WYDOT Distracted Driving and Cell Phone Laws in Wyoming 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'electronic message' include under Wyoming's texting ban?
- Text messages, emails, and social media posts (Correct answer)
- Only standard SMS text messages
- Only emails sent from a smartphone
- Only messages sent through social media apps
Correct answer: Text messages, emails, and social media posts
Wyoming's law covers composing, reading, or sending any electronic message, including texts, emails, and similar digital communications.
Question 2: Which Wyoming state agency is primarily responsible for traffic safety education and road safety campaigns?
- Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) (Correct answer)
- Wyoming Secretary of State's Office
- Wyoming Highway Patrol exclusively
- Wyoming State Library
Correct answer: Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT)
WYDOT is the primary agency responsible for traffic safety programs, education, and road safety campaigns throughout Wyoming.
Question 3: At 55 mph, approximately how far does a vehicle travel in the 5 seconds it typically takes to read a text message?
- The length of a football field (about 400 feet) (Correct answer)
- About 200 feet
- About 100 feet
- About 50 feet
Correct answer: The length of a football field (about 400 feet)
At 55 mph a vehicle travels approximately 400 feet—roughly the length of a football field—in just 5 seconds.
Question 4: What category of distraction involves a driver being mentally preoccupied or daydreaming while behind the wheel?
- Cognitive distraction (Correct answer)
- Visual distraction
- Manual distraction
- Auditory distraction
Correct answer: Cognitive distraction
Cognitive distraction occurs when a driver's mind is focused on something other than the task of driving, even if their eyes are on the road.
Question 5: Wyoming's texting while driving ban was enacted primarily to address which public safety concern?
- The proven link between electronic messaging and increased crash rates (Correct answer)
- Slowing traffic flow on interstate highways
- Reducing vehicle fuel consumption
- Decreasing vehicle emissions in urban areas
Correct answer: The proven link between electronic messaging and increased crash rates
Wyoming enacted the texting ban to address the demonstrated causal relationship between texting while driving and traffic crashes.
Question 6: If a Wyoming driver is in a crash and evidence shows they were texting at the time, what additional consequence may apply?
- The texting violation can serve as evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit (Correct answer)
- The driver automatically loses their license for one year
- The driver must retake the full written driving examination
- No additional consequences apply beyond the standard traffic fine
Correct answer: The texting violation can serve as evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit
Evidence of texting while driving at the time of a crash can be used to establish driver negligence in civil liability proceedings.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes a 'manual distraction' while driving?
- Eating a sandwich while steering with one hand (Correct answer)
- Daydreaming about weekend plans while driving
- Reading a roadside billboard while traveling
- Listening to a podcast through the vehicle speakers
Correct answer: Eating a sandwich while steering with one hand
Manual distraction involves removing one or both hands from the steering wheel, such as when eating or adjusting the radio while driving.
