While texting and driving is very dangerous, it currently is a secondary offense meaning that if you’re texting and driving you can’t only get pulled over for that. Beginning April 4, that all changes with distracted driving getting promoted to a primary offense in the State of Ohio. If police see you texting and driving on, or after, April 4 they will have the discretion to pull drivers over for violations. This law, a part of Senate Bill 288, aims to crack down on the amount of crashes and deaths that are caused by distracted driving.
The following tickets and fines can be assessed for distracted driving:
- A fine of up to $150 and two points on your license for the first offense.
- A fine of up to $250 and three points on your license for a second offense within two years.
- A fine of up to $500, four points on your license and a 90-day driver's license suspension for a third offense within two years.
While distracted driving is very dangerous, the law does include some exceptions:
- Making an emergency call to police, fire department or the hospital.
- Using a phone while stopped on the side of the road, at a red light or because of an emergency or road closure.
- Holding a phone near your ear for a call.
- Using speakerphone.
- Using navigation services as long as you're not typing in a destination or holding the phone.
- Using a single touch or swipe to end a call, for example.
- A person driving a public safety vehicle while performing their duties.
In 2022, distracted driving contributed to at least 31 fatal crashes and 258 crashes with serious injuries, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol.