CLEVELAND — April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. On Thursday, several state organizations were in Northeast Ohio to remind drivers to keep their eyes on the road.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Ohio State Highway Patrol, (OSP), and AAA East Central held a briefing to address the major concern about Ohioans driving while distracted.
Between 2018-2022, there were more than 60,000 distracted driving crashes in Ohio. In 189 of those crashes, at least one person died. Meanwhile, a recent study by the AAA shows that motorists who text while driving are eight times more likely to crash.
Earlier this month, the state of Ohio passed a law making it illegal to use or hold a cellphone or any electronic device in your hand or lap while driving. Now driving while being distracted is a primary offense. Violators will be given warnings during a six-month grace period “as part of the effort to educate and help motorists adapt to the new law.”
"We encourage motorists to use the hands-free features on their phones, Bluetooth, or anything that allows them to keep their eyes on the road," says OSP Sgt. Bridget Matt.
Violations will start being issued on October 5. Drivers will be issued citations for a first offense with a two-point penalty on a driver's license and a $150 fine. For a second offense, violators will get a $250 fine and a three-point penalty on their driver's license. A third offense will cost you a fine of up to $500 and penalize you four points on your license with a possible 90-day license suspension.
"When you take your eyes off the road for a split second, it's like driving a whole football field blindfolded," ODOT Highway Tech Tony Teresi adds. "Please keep your eyes on the road and try to keep it safe and get home."