Under the new law, which goes into effect in April, texting while driving is prohibited and becomes a primary offense.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law on Tuesday, expanding the state’s distracted driving laws, giving officers more freedom to pull drivers over for violations.
“Distracted driving is a killer, it’s unnecessary,” DeWine said at an afternoon news conference. “If we can eliminate distracted driving, we will save many, many lives.” It was already illegal in Ohio, but it was a secondary offense for adults, meaning officers needed to witness a separate, primary offense before pulling drivers over.
The law also prohibits holding and looking at wireless devices while on the move, including entering information into GPS.Drivers are still able to hold phones to their ear to make calls, they can also swipe or press a single button to accept and end calls.The law provides exceptions in emergency situations and while stopped at a red light.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there have been at least 73,945 distracted driving crashes in Ohio since 2017, including 2,186 fatal and serious injury crashes.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gov. Mike DeWine signs tougher distracted driving penalties into Ohio lawOhioans will soon have to hang up their cellphones while driving, thanks to tougher distracted driving rules signed by Gov. Mike DeWine.
Read more »
Gov. Mike DeWine signs texting-and-driving ban, with several exceptionsThe legislation, a priority of the governor during his first term, establishes texting while driving as a primary offense. That allows officers to initiate a traffic stop if they believe drivers are using their phones.
Read more »
What will Gov. Mike DeWine try to accomplish during his second term in office?DeWine no longer has to worry about how his decisions will be seen by voters at the next election. But it also brings a degree of urgency, too, as he will look to burnish his legacy as he nears retirement.
Read more »
Gov. Mike DeWine warns gambling companies following Ohio sports betting launch'The companies that are doing the massive advertising need to be aware that they’re being looked at very closely by the governor and the Casino Control Commission in regard to statements that they are making,' DeWine said Tuesday.
Read more »
Sweeping criminal justice law changes OK’d by Ohio governorSweeping criminal justice legislation signed Tuesday by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will allow police to stop people solely for holding a cellphone while driving, with certain exceptions.
Read more »