Ohio Cracks Down on Distracted Driving

Ohio banned holding a cellphone while driving. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a distracted driving bill (SB-288) Monday, his office said. The law designates use of cellphones and other electronic communications devices while driving as a primary offense for all drivers and allows the police to immediately pull over violators. Under a previous law, distracted driving was a primary offense only for juvenile drivers; adults could be pulled only over if they were also committing another primary violation like speeding. The law takes effect in 90 days and there will be a six-month grace period in which violators only get warnings. After that, penalties include a maximum $150 fine for the first offense, plus two points on their license unless the violator completes a distracted driving safety course. “Too many people are willing to risk their lives while behind the wheel to get a look at their phones," said DeWine: The governor hopes SB-288 “will prompt a cultural shift around distracted driving that normalizes the fact that distracted driving is dangerous, irresponsible, and just as deadly as driving drunk.”