Mary Alice Reporting –
An Ohio law went into effect in April but officially starts October 5th following the six-month grace period to educate the public.
It is illegal to use or hold a cell phone or other electronic device while driving within the state and if law enforcement sees the violation, a driver can be pulled over.
Governor Mike DeWine notes that using a device is now a primary offense with penalties including a first offense fine of $150 and points assessed to a driver’s license.
“If law enforcement sees a driver distracted by their phone that drive can now be immediately pulled over. Officers and Troopers no longer must wait until that individual committed a separate offense to pull them over.”
Ohio State Highway Patrol New Philadelphia Post Sgt. Brian Hawkins explains that, in most cases, anything more than a single swipe or touch is against the law.
“You are allowed to have it on speaker but you can’t have it in your hand, it can’t be supported by your body. If you have it on your dash and you hit speaker, that’s fine. They only time you’re allowed to have the phone in your hand is if it’s up to your ear.”
Drivers young than 18 are reminded they are restricted from using a device, including hand-free features.
Since the law went into effect, in April, patrol statewide have stopped 1,700 motorists to give out the warning.
“I can testify personally I’ve made a few stops based off of it. It’s law enforcement getting used to using that law. Driving up next to people and being able to see them using their phone in front of their face then we can make that traffic stop, educate them, let them know that this is the new law, and to put your phone down and focus on the roadway.”
According to Ohio’s Governor, September 2023 saw the lowest number of distracted driving crash in almost six years.
For the first nine months of this year, there were 1,255 fewer distracted driving crashes compared to the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, known deaths caused by distracted driving decrease by 25%.
Copyright WTUZ Radio Inc., 2023
