Beware how you use your phone while behind the wheel! Texting, tweeting, or making a phone call as you drive is now very expensive: Any person who distracts a driver or causes an auto accident by using a handheld electronic communication equipment is liable to a $100 penalty on top of other fines. The handheld devices include cell phones, tablets, and laptops.
The new fine is applicable in several types of distracted driving, including the use of smartphones while driving, personal grooming tools, or eating while steering a vehicle, as all such activities are now classified as distractions. Only the use of hands-free devices is regarded as exceptional. The residents found guilty of distracted driving have the option to pay the $100 fine or enroll in a distracted driving safety program.
Distracted Driving Bill in Ohio
The distracted driving bill is the product of two Ohio state representatives, Jim Hughes (R-Columbus) and Seitz (R-Cincinnati), whose aim is to enhance safer driving practices and reduce road carnage.
“Our aim is to make people concentrate on driving and avoid other activities,” Hughes says.
Nothing emphasizes the concern that distracted driving is a core road safety issue than the information by the Ohio State Patrol, who in 2015 reported that 13,261 Ohio drivers crashed as a result of being distracted. Between 2014 and 2015, the number of distracted driving cases rose by 11 per cent, leading to 43 deaths. The use of phones to text, email, or update social media for 24 percent of the distracted driving cases.
According to Ohio State Patrol, phone use is not the main cause of distraction on the road—drivers interacting with passengers, eating, or drinking accounts for most of distracted driving. However, cell phone use contributed to 41 percent of fatal road crashes in 2015, up from the 2014 percentage of 31 percent.
Multiple Auto Offenses
The Ohio bill proposes that law enforcement officers be allowed to charge drivers for distracted driving alongside other traffic violations. In the bill, any action that is unconnected to driving, as long as that activity prevents the driver from the capacity to handle their car safely, becomes distracted driving.
Distracted Driving and Personal Injury Claims
Distracted driving is a grave traffic offence in Ohio that often leads to bodily injuries or deaths. According to the AAA Foundation, teenagers particularly like to use communication devices while driving. U.S. citizens who suffer injuries due to distracted driving have every right to file for a personal injury lawsuit.
Distracted driving continues to be a major issue in the U.S. for drivers of all ages. Whether it is sending a message or combing your hair, the slightest distraction can cause a serious accident. In the event of an auto accident, be sure to reach out Ohio Accident Attorneys. We have the legal resources to get you in contact with local car accident attorney that can help you seek maximum compensation for your losses. Call us today for a free case evaluation.