Is it legally considered texting and driving if you ask Siri to send a text for you?
<p>Virtually every state has laws forbidding texting while driving. However, iOS devices have the ability to send text messages through the Voice-activated Siri (Android devices may have similar capabilities). For instance, you can say the following:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Me: Hey Siri. Send a text to my wife.</p>
<p>Siri: What do you want to say?</p>
<p>Me: Traffic is bad, I'll be home a little late.</p>
<p>Siri: [Displays my message on screen] Ready to send it?</p>
<p>Me: Yes.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>All of this can be done without touching the phone, and although a transcription of your message appears on the screen, it is not necessary to look at it.</p>
<p>From a legal point of view, would asking Siri to send a text while you are driving be considered texting and driving?</p>

<p>All of these are state laws, so answers will vary. NC defines illegal operation of a mobile handset as use to: (<a href="http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-137.4A.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">§ 20-137.4A</a>)</p>
<blockquote>
<p>(1) Manually enter multiple letters or text in the device as a means of communicating with another person; or</p>
<p>(2) Read any electronic mail or text message transmitted to the device or stored within the device, provided that this prohibition shall not apply to any name or number stored in the device nor to any caller identification information.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So using a voice assistant in NC would not be manually entering text and therefore not criminal. The part of the law applying to motor carriers explicitly exempts voice commands and &quot;hands-free&quot; devices.</p>

united-states traffic texting