Updated March 2010:

State cell phone and texting while driving law highlights include:

• Handheld Cell Phones: 6 states (Calif., Conn., N.J., N.Y., Ore. and Wash.), D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving.
  • Except for Washington, these laws are primary enforcement—an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.