Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation aimed to stop drivers from using their phones while they are behind the wheel.
The legislation, a priority of the governor during his first term, establishes texting while driving as a primary offense. That allows officers to initiate a traffic stop if they believe drivers are using their phones; current law only allows them to issue a ticket to suspected adult distracted drivers who are stopped for another offense.
The only exceptions to this law are emergency calls, work calls for public safety officials, car being stopped at a red light or pulled over, drivers on speakerphone, as long as they’re not holding the phone, drivers on the phone held up to their ear, drivers using a phone to navigate, so long as they’re not holding the phone, a person using a hands-free system.
