Regardless of how nice you’re at multitasking —- YOU SHOULD NEVER USE YOUR PHONE WHILE DRIVING.

There have been too many accidents brought on by distracted driving. 

In an try to decrease the charges of accidents by distractions, the State of Ohio implements strict distracted driving legal guidelines.

And, in YOUR try to decrease this price, it’s best to obey these legal guidelines and keep away from different distractions. 

Right this moment, we’re going to stroll you thru Ohio’s distracted driving legal guidelines, in addition to its penalties, different distractions, and how one can keep away from them. 

So let’s start!

Distracted Driving Legal guidelines in Ohio

In Ohio, there are solely 2 particular distracted driving legal guidelines. These embody:

• Cellphone use
• Earphone use

Let’s take a look at every one. 

Ohio Cell Cellphone Regulation

Because the Ohio cellular phone regulation states…

It’s unlawful to make use of a handheld digital machine to write down, ship, or learn messages when behind the wheel. 

Sure, there are a couple of exemptions to this, together with: 

• Utilizing your cellphone in hands-free mode. 
• Utilizing your cellphone when your automobile is parked or stopped at a pink mild.
• Swiping cellphone screens when answering a name.
• Holding the cellphone to your ear when on a name.
• Answering emergency calls.
• Utilizing the GPS operate of your cellphone in case your cellphone is mounted in your sprint or console.

Nevertheless, if you happen to’re underneath 18 years outdated, the regulation is stricter. 

It states that…

It’s unlawful for teenagers beneath 18 years outdated to make use of ANY digital machine whereas driving, even when sitting at a site visitors mild or site visitors jam. 

Which means you can not use your cellphone — and sure, that even consists of hands-free calling. 

The one exception is that if the teenager is making an emergency name or utilizing a mounted navigation machine. 

Ohio Earphone Regulation

Do you know that loud music could be a distraction, too?

Not simply that, however not having the ability to hear your environment could be very harmful. 

Because of this the State of Ohio makes it unlawful to put on headphones, earphones, or earplugs over each ears when driving. 

That stated, you’re allowed to put on: 

• Listening to aids
• Protecting headgear with built-in audio system (if using a motorbike)
• Just one earbud or headphone whereas behind the wheel

Distracted Driving Penalties in Ohio 

On January 2023, Senate Invoice 288 was signed. 

This made the cellular phone regulation a main offense for all drivers (teenagers and adults). 

Earlier than, you possibly can solely be charged with breaking the cellular phone regulation if you happen to dedicated one other violation. 

Now, a regulation enforcement officer can cease you for no different cause than in the event that they see you driving and utilizing your cellphone. 

Lengthy story quick — the regulation has grow to be rather a lot stricter. 

And if you happen to’re caught, you’ll face the penalties…

First Offense

Drivers caught driving whereas distracted (texting, holding their cell phone/tablets, or carrying each earphones) might be fined as much as $150 and have 2 factors added to their licenses.

You may take away the two factors if you happen to full a distracted driving security course. 

Your first offense is a minor misdemeanor and you will have to serve 30 hours of neighborhood service. 

Second Offense

If you’re caught breaking Ohio’s distracted driving regulation inside two years of your first offense, you possibly can be fined as much as $250, and three factors might be added to your license. 

Violators will even obtain a fourth-degree misdemeanor quotation and should resist 20 hours of neighborhood service, plus 30 days of jail time. 

Subsequent Offenses

In case you break Ohio’s distracted driving regulation for the third time and onwards, then you definately might be fined as much as $500, and 4 factors might be added to your license.

Your driver’s license will even be suspended for 90 days in case your violation occurred inside two years of your final.

Furthermore, that is already a third-degree misdemeanor quotation, as much as 20 hours of neighborhood service, and as much as 60 days of jail time.

Different Types of Distracted Driving 

Certain, the regulation solely focuses on cellular phone and earphone use. 

Nevertheless, these aren’t the one issues that distract you.

Bear in mind, an important factor right here is to keep away from accidents brought on by distractions. 

And to try this, you have to keep away from something that:

• Removes your eyes from the highway
• Removes your fingers from the wheel
• Removes your thoughts on the driving activity 

So distracted driving consists of:

• Consuming whereas driving
• Turning your head to admire a international sports activities automobile
• Speaking to your passengers
• Making use of make-up or chapstick whereas driving
• Choosing up an merchandise that fell on the ground 
• Reaching for one thing on the again
• Rearranging issues in your automobile whilst you’re driving
• Arguing with somebody
• Coping with rowdy children or pets

Learn how to Keep away from Distracted Driving

Avoiding distractions…

That’s simpler stated than achieved. 

So that will help you, listed here are some useful suggestions:

• Don’t reply a textual content or name except you’re positive it’s an emergency. Or, if you happen to’re already speaking to somebody, allow them to know that you’re about to drive. 

• Feeling a bit drained? Pull off the highway. By no means drive whereas exhausted or sleepy as this could be a distraction, too. 

• Restrict the variety of passengers in your automobile. It’s simpler to get distracted when many individuals are speaking. 

• Keep away from consuming whereas driving. Sure, these hen nuggets from McDonald’s most likely odor divine. However resist the temptation to seize a chunk. And if you happen to can’t, pull over someplace secure. 

• Apply any make-up earlier than you begin transferring. 

• Don’t attain for objects which may have fallen on the ground or are on the again. You may ask somebody to get it for you, or simply go away it till your automobile is stopped. 

• Resist the urge to rearrange issues in your automobile.

• Don’t let your pet block your view. Your fur child is cute, however you’ll be able to present them off extra when you’ve parked correctly.

Passengers have a accountability, too. Right here’s how one can maintain your driver from getting distracted:

• Don’t name for his or her consideration except it’s an absolute should.

• Scale back distractions in your driver by taking up navigation.

• In case you sense that your driver’s focus is drifting, please remind them to concentrate to the highway.

• Is your vital different driving? Perhaps keep away from some hanky-panky whereas on the highway. That may wait until you get house. 

FAQs

Obtained some questions on Ohio distracted driving legal guidelines?

Then let’s reply essentially the most requested ones. 

Is it unlawful to speak on a cellular phone whereas driving in Ohio?

It relies on your age. 

In case you’re 18 and above, it’s not unlawful to reply a name whereas driving in Ohio. 

Nevertheless, if you’re beneath 18 years outdated, then sure, it’s unlawful — except the decision is an emergency. 

Is distracted driving a misdemeanor in Ohio?

Sure, it’s thought of a misdemeanor if caught driving whereas distracted in Ohio. 

Is Ohio a hands-free state?

Sure, you’re allowed to make use of a cellphone whether it is in hands-free mode. 

Nevertheless, this doesn’t apply to teenagers beneath 18 years outdated. 

Are you able to eat whereas driving in Ohio?

Sure, you’ll be able to. No regulation in Ohio prohibits you from consuming whilst you drive. 

Nevertheless, that is one type of distracting driving — so you could keep away from it in any respect prices if you would like security for everybody. 

Are you able to textual content at a pink mild in Ohio?

Sure, you’re allowed to textual content in case your automobile is stopped. 

However once more, this isn’t allowed for teenagers beneath 18 years outdated. 

Conclusion 

Distracted driving is distracted driving — regulation or no regulation. 

Whether or not you’re checking your cellphone for texts, taking a chunk out of your sandwich, or speaking to your passenger — these are distractions. 

It doesn’t matter how good of a driver you’re. If you’re distracted for even one second, you may get into fairly nasty accidents. 

Our recommendation?

Obey Ohio distracted driving legal guidelines…

Additionally, ensure you maintain your eyes on the highway, your fingers on the steering wheel, and your concentrate on the duty. 

All the time select to be a secure and accountable driver!