A new bill being drafted by State Rep. Rex Damschroder could move texting and driving from a secondary offense to a primary offense.
Although texting and driving is illegal in Ohio, and has been since 2012, it is only a secondary offense for drivers over the age of 18. This means that a driver will only be pulled over for texting while driving if they are already breaking the law, such as driving over the speed limit or not wearing a seatbelt.
Drivers under the age of 18 though, may be pulled over if they are seen texting without breaking any other laws. Specifically, teen drivers are not allowed to text, talk on the phone, use Bluetooth devices, tablets or even a GPS unit.
If the new bill is passed next year, texting and driving will become a primary offense for all age groups. Additionally, the bill could also include language that would make it illegal to use your phone while in an active construction or school zone.
Thirty-nine states currently have a primary texting and driving law in place while five others have it as a secondary offense. Despite there being a texting and driving law in Ohio, more than 200 car accidents were caused by a driver who was one their cellphone in 2013 thousands more were caused by a driver using an electronic device such as a GPS system.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a texting and driving accident, the car accident lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.