Distracted Driving Law Enforcement Begins October 5th

Article Presented By Kingston National Bank…

(Columbus) – Enforcement of Ohio’s new Distracted Driving Law sees ticketing enforcement begin Thursday, October 5th. The law, which significantly strengthens laws in Ohio related to the use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving, began issuing warnings for driver infractions on April 1st, 2023.

Penalties will now include a fine of up to $150 for a driver’s first offense and two points on their license unless a distracted driving safety course is completed. Increased penalties can occur if the driver is a repeat offender. 

Senate Bill 288, sponsored by Senator Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), designates the use of cell phones and other electronic communications devices while driving as a primary traffic offense for all drivers and allows law enforcement to immediately pull over a distracted driver upon witnessing a violation. Under the previous law, distracted driving was a primary offense only for juvenile drivers, preventing officers from stopping adult distracted drivers unless those drivers also committed a separate primary traffic violation, such as speeding or running a red light.

Under the new law, a driver may still use their device in specific circumstances, such as when their vehicle is parked or stopped at a red light. Drivers are also permitted to swipe their phones to answer a call and to hold their phones to their ears during phone conversations. Emergency calls are also permitted in all circumstances. 

Although distracted driving is known to be underreported, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that there have been at least 73,945 distracted driving crashes in Ohio since 2017, including 2,186 fatal and serious injury crashes. Traffic fatalities overall have increased in eight of nine years from 2013 to 2021, with deaths reaching their highest point in nearly two decades in 2021 with 1,355 fatalities. Preliminary traffic data from 2022 indicates that at least 1,269 people were killed in traffic crashes last year.  

“Certainly not all fatal traffic crashes are caused by distracted driving, but it’s no coincidence that evolving smartphone technology has coincided with increasing roadway deaths and injuries,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Other states with similar distracted driving laws have experienced fewer fatal crashes, and we expect that this enhanced distracted driving law will have the same impact here.”  

Senate Bill 288’s distracted driving provision is part of Governor DeWine’s comprehensive plan to improve the safety of Ohio’s roads. To help address unintentional motor vehicle crashes, which are one of the leading causes of death for teenagers and young adults in Ohio, Governor DeWine launched the “Ready, Test, Drive!” virtual driver assessment program in 2019 to more accurately assess new drivers’ road readiness and help identify skills needing improvement. Governor DeWine also formed the Ohio Traffic Safety Council to coordinate and monitor all statewide traffic safety initiatives; launched a new work zone traffic enforcement plan in coordination with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to help protect road workers; awarded grants to juvenile courts to help them give young drivers more access to advanced driver training; and created a new “Drive to Succeed” scholarship program to expand access to teen driver training for low-income families.