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Texting while driving now a ticket-able offense in Ohio

Ohio drivers can now be ticketed for texting. For the past six months, officers could issue warnings to drivers who weren’t complying with the statewide texting ban. That grace period ends Friday.
Associated Press
Mar 2, 2013

Texting while driving is now a secondary offense for drivers 18 and older. That means an officer has to stop a driver for another offense first, such as speeding.

Bu drivers who are minors are not allowed to text or use cellphones or other hand-held devices. For them it’s a primary offense.

The law carries possible fines of $150 for the first offense. Repeat offenders could face a $300 fine.

The law doesn’t trump city ordinances on texting or cellphone use that might be tougher.

All drivers can text and use their cellphones in cases of an emergency.

 

Comments

titanfan84
Sat, 03/02/2013 - 1:46pm

So does this mean people can pull over cops who are breaking the law cause I've seen them all the time on the phones

The Hamburglar
Sat, 03/02/2013 - 1:55pm

That's exactly what it means. Make a citizens arrest.

fenderstrat52
Sun, 03/03/2013 - 9:03am

Titan is right, also the no texting revised code reads as it is a violation of the "full time and attention, distracted driving" law. So I guess that means that all of the laptops installed in all of the law enforcement vehicles will be removed?

swiss cheese kat
Sun, 03/03/2013 - 10:56am

@titanfan84, The Hamburglar, fenderstrat52

Sec. 4511.204.
(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any of the following:
(2) A person driving a public safety vehicle who uses a handheld electronic wireless communications device in that manner in the course of the person's duties;

Your gonna look extremely dumb and possibly viewed as a crazy lunatic with no education trying to make a citizen arrest on a cop. lmao.

Buckeyessuck
Sat, 03/02/2013 - 2:53pm

You first must pull them over for a different reason, i.e weaving, speeding.

The Dusk
Sat, 03/02/2013 - 6:49pm

Bu drivers? What are those?

PaulYall
Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:46am

I do agree with this law don't text and drive! It's just as bad or if not worse then driving while under the influence! I myself am guilty of both and very fortunate that i never hurt anyone in doing so! I am a 100% backer of keeping our roads safe!

CAPNTIM50
Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:57am

Not 100% sure, but I believe that I've read that Police, and maybe other emergency responders are excempt.
It would be nice if the Register would have briefly explained the law fully, or added it for our viewing.
So the answer is, hold onto your 'Citizens Arrest' and research the law yourself on the web.
Don't find yourself in the back of a cruiser.