No, Vermont law prohibits any activity that distracts from safe driving, including applying makeup, under 23 V.S.A. § 1204(a). The state classifies such behavior as a form of distracted driving, punishable under primary enforcement statutes. Local traffic courts consistently uphold citations for visible cosmetic application behind the wheel.
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in Vermont
- Distracted Driving Statute (23 V.S.A. § 1204(a)): Prohibits any act that diverts attention from driving, including grooming. Primary enforcement allows police to stop drivers solely for this violation.
- Vermont Traffic Safety Enforcement Guidelines (2024 Update): Local agencies prioritize visual distraction cases, with makeup application explicitly cited in training materials as a high-risk behavior.
- Penalties: Fines range from $100 to $250 for first offenses, with potential license points under Vermont’s graduated penalty system. Repeat violations may trigger mandatory defensive driving courses.
Local ordinances in Burlington and Montpelier have reinforced these restrictions through public awareness campaigns, aligning with the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s 2026 Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities. Courts consider intent irrelevant; the act itself constitutes a violation if it impairs vehicle control or situational awareness.