Here's my friendly advice: if you absolutely need music or a podcast on your drive, use your car's speakers like a normal human. Or, if your car is ancient (raises hand), get a cheap Bluetooth speaker and set it on the passenger seat. Your ears will thank you, and so will the drivers around you.
And if you really, truly cannot part with your earbuds? Check your local laws first. A quick Google search like "earphones while driving [your state]" will give you the straight answer. But honestly, do you want to be that person who explains to a police officer why you didn't hear the fire truck? Spoiler: you don't.
A little story to wrap things up
Last week, my neighbor Dave got pulled over for wearing earbuds. He was listening to a true crime podcast (ironic, right?). The officer let him off with a warning, but Dave said he felt like a total goof. Now he uses his car speakers and jokes, "My driving has never been safer—and my neighbors have never been more annoyed by my taste in music."
So, next time you reach for those earbuds before starting the engine, pause. Think of Jenna, Mark, and Dave. Keep the tunes, lose the earbuds, and drive like you actually want to get where you're going in one piece. Your ears—and everyone else on the road—will be glad you did.
