Hamilton County Safe Communities Warns Drivers About Ohio's Texting-While-Driving Ban
September 12, 2012
Hamilton County Safe Communities, in partnership with TriHealth Trauma Services, announced today that they have joined the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “One Text or Call Could Wreck It All” campaign to stop distracted driving.
Adult drivers in Ohio can face up to a $150 fine for texting, reading, or sending an email. If you are under the age of 18, it’s illegal to use any mobile communications device while driving in Ohio, effective August 30, 2012.
- This means no texting, e-mailing, cell phone, video games, iPad/tablet, or handheld GPS use while driving, even when sitting at a light or in traffic.
- A primary offense- the only reason police need to pull you over
- First violation: $150 fine and driver’s license suspended for 60 days
- Second violation: $300 fine and license suspended for one year
- Exceptions: Pre-programmed GPS or emergency calls to police, ambulance, fire department, ect.
Drivers are 23 times more likely to crash while texting and driving. Hamilton County Safe Communities has pledged their support to help spread the message that distracted drivers are a danger to themselves, and everyone else on the road.
In 2010, 3,092 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an estimated additional 416,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. That same year, eleven percent of fatal crashes were reported as distraction-related crashes.
While anything that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task of driving is a hazard, there is heightened concern about the risks of texting while driving because it combines all three types of distraction – visual, manual and cognitive.
The national distracted driving effort focuses on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness and education – the same activities that have curbed drunk driving and increased seat belt use.