Governor DeWine signs legislation to officially make distracted drives a primary offense in Ohio. This law takes effect in early April and Ohioans will be prohibited from “using, holding, or physically supporting a cell phone” while they operate a motor vehicle. This new bill, Senate Bill 288, will hopefully alter this dangerous behavior that has been normalized and put many citizens’ lives at risk.

  According to 10 WBNS, “This bill is about a lot more than pulling people over and handing out tickets,” DeWine said. “It’s about changing the culture around distracted driving, and normalizing the fact that distracted driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.”

   For a first offense, people can take an approved distracted driving course in order to avoid fines and points on their license. While the law is put in place to limit distracted drivers, there are several exceptions. Some of which include emergency calls, usage of your phone at a red light, when you hold your phone near your ear for a call, speakerphone calls, and more.

   According to the Columbus Dispatch, “In 2022, distracted driving contributed to at least 31 fatal crashes and 258 crashes with serious injuries, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol,” Staver and Balmert said. “Since 2017, distracted driving has contributed to 73,945 crashes.”