Ohio Governor Signs Bill to Crack Down on Distracted Drivers

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a bill into law that will strengthen the state’s distracted driving laws. The bill, which was unanimously passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate, is designed to reduce the number of distracted driving-related fatalities and injuries in the state.

Under the new law, using any handheld electronic device while driving is prohibited. This includes texting, talking on the phone, and using social media. The law also prohibits drivers from reading, writing, or sending texts while their vehicles are in motion.

In addition to banning handheld devices while driving, the law also makes it illegal for drivers to use any type of screen-based device, including tablets and laptops. The law does not apply to the use of GPS devices.

The bill also gives law enforcement the authority to impound a vehicle if a driver is found to be using a handheld electronic device while driving. The driver would then be responsible for paying a fine and releasing the car.

The new law is part of Governor DeWine’s effort to reduce the number of distracted driving-related fatalities and injuries in the state. According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, there were more than 2,000 distracted driving-related crashes in the state in 2018, resulting in nearly 1,400 injuries and 32 deaths.

“Distracted driving is a serious safety concern in Ohio, and this law will help us to address it,” said Governor DeWine in a statement. “This law will help us to keep our roads safe for everyone and make sure that drivers are focused on the task at hand: driving safely.”

The new law is expected to be fully implemented by the end of 2019. The Ohio Department of Public Safety has launched an educational campaign to inform the public about the new law and spread the message of safe driving.

For more information about the new law and distracted driving safety tips, visit the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s website.