Watch Your Mouth! The Utahs Where Cursing While Driving Is Against the Law

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Watch Your Mouth! The Utahs Where Cursing While Driving Is Against the Law

No, cursing while driving is not illegal in Utah. This claim circulates as part of debunked “dumb laws” lists, with no state statute prohibiting profanity from vehicles absent threats or public disturbance.

Myth Origins

Urban legend compilations falsely attribute a swearing ban to Utah drivers, often tied to its cultural conservatism, but these lack any basis in Utah Code Title 41 (Motor Vehicles) or municipal ordinances. Similar hoaxes have appeared for other states in prior queries, confirmed as fabrications.​

Actual Driving Laws

Utah enforces strict distracted driving rules under §41-6a-1716, banning handheld device use for texting, emailing, or data entry (Class C misdemeanor, up to $750 fine/90 days jail), but vocal communication like swearing remains protected speech. Road rage escalating to disorderly conduct (§76-9-102) could apply if profanity accompanies aggression, but isolated cursing does not.​

Exceptions

Localities like Logan may retain archaic ordinances against public profanity, rarely enforced, but statewide, First Amendment protections prevail in private vehicles. Focus on safe driving avoids any issues.​

SOURCES

[1](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/mbzg85/swearing_in_utah/)
[2](https://siegfriedandjensen.com/faqs/is-talking-on-the-phone-while-driving-considered-distracted-driving-in-utah/)
[3](https://www.fellerwendt.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-utahs-distracted-driving-laws/)
[4](https://www.handylawutah.com/blog/2023/02/distracted-driving-laws-in-utah/)
[5](https://christensenhymas.com/utah-car-accident-attorney/texting-and-driving-accident/law/)

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