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New public opinion research released on Friday, February 26 finds that an overwhelming majority of Ohio drivers (78%) favor a new, statewide hands-free law that prohibits drivers from holding their phone to talk or enter data while driving, but would allow drivers to use voice commands to answer calls and respond to communications.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 25, 2021

FOR Ohio statement on removal of distracted driving law language from HB 74

(Columbus, OH) — Fix Our Roads Ohio issued the following statement on the removal of distracted driving law language form HB 74:

“Our coalition is dismayed, but not deterred, to learn the House Finance Committee has removed language from the pending biennial transportation budget bill to upgrade Ohio’s currently weak and unenforceable law to prevent distracted driving.

“Driver misuse of mobile phones and devices on Ohio roadways is a serious and growing problem posing a real danger to drivers, passengers and others. The new law proposed by Governor DeWine as part of HB 74 is based on extensive study and on the success of similar statutes in other states that have proven to reduce crashes, prevent injuries and save lives.

“Inclusion of this issue in the transportation budget bill as introduced provided our coalition members and those who have been injured or lost loved ones to distracted driving with the opportunity to present testimony and talk to lawmakers about the distracted driving issue.

“We have learned we have strong bipartisan support among legislators. We will continue to make sure lawmakers hear from families of victims, highway safety experts, roadway users, highway construction workers and knowledgeable law enforcement officials. We hope most legislators will conclude Ohio drivers, passengers, bicyclists, pedestrians and roadway workers should have the same lawful safeguards found in most other states.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 9, 2021

FOR Ohio statement on legislation to combat distracted driving

(Columbus, OH) — Fix Our Roads Ohio (FOR Ohio) issued following statement on Governor Mike DeWine’s proposed legislation to combat distracted driving:

“Distracted driving poses a deadly serious and increasing threat to the safety all those traveling on Ohio’s roadways. The time has come to pass and enact a “hands-free” law in Ohio, as 25 other states and the District of Columbia have done, which will reduce the number of needless injuries and deaths in our state.

“We applaud Governor DeWine’s leadership on this issue. FOR Ohio strongly supports the legislation that was announced today and we look forward to working closely with the Governor and all members of the General Assembly to make a difference that will save lives in Ohio.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 8, 2021

Governor DeWine’s Executive Budget Proposal Reaffirms Commitment to Safer Roads, Reduced Distracted Driving

Ohio is One of 4 States without Primary Enforcement Laws for Adults Using Electronics While Driving

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that he is reaffirming his commitment to improving the safety of Ohio’s roads by including provisions in his Executive Budget proposal that strengthen Ohio’s distracted driving laws.

With limited exceptions, the Hands-Free Ohio provisions in Governor DeWine’s budget proposal will make driving while handling any electronic wireless device a primary offense for adult drivers and will increase fines for drivers who habitually use devices while driving. In cases where a driver using a device causes serious injury or death, the penalties will mirror those of drunken driving.

“Ohio’s current laws don’t go far enough to change the culture around distracted driving, and people are dying because of it,” said Governor DeWine. “Distracted driving is a choice that must be as culturally unacceptable as drunk driving is today, and strengthening our current laws will lead to more responsible driving.”

Currently, using a hand-held electronic wireless device for any purpose is a primary offense for drivers under 18, and using a device for text-based communications while driving is a secondary offense for adults. This secondary enforcement prohibits law enforcement from stopping an adult driver using a wireless device to write, send, or read text-based communications unless the driver also commits a primary traffic offense, such as running a red light. There are no laws in Ohio prohibiting adults from driving while using wireless devices for other non-texting activities, such as watching or recording videos, taking or viewing photos, using apps, entering information into GPS navigation programs, dialing a phone number, etc.

“Every time you pick up your phone while driving you are putting your life and the lives of others in danger,” said Colonel Richard S. Fambro, Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent. “When you take your eyes off the road – even for just a few seconds – the consequences can be devastating.”

Provisional data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol shows that 2020 was the deadliest year on Ohio’s roads in over a decade with 1,236 people killed in traffic crashes. More than 100,000 distracted driving crashes have occurred in Ohio since 2013 resulting in more than 53,000 injuries.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 13, 2020

Governor DeWine Announces Hands-Free Ohio Bill

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced details of a new bill that will strengthen Ohio’s laws regarding the use of wireless devices, including smartphones, while driving.

The new Hands-Free Ohio bill is sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) and Sen. Sean J. O’Brien (D-Bazetta).

“The use of wireless devices while driving has become so common that many drivers don’t stop to consider the deadly consequences,” said Governor DeWine. “Although Ohio’s current laws are well-intended, they simply haven’t gone far enough to change the culture around using technology behind the wheel. By strengthening Ohio’s laws, we believe we can change behaviors, prevent crashes, and save lives.”

With limited exceptions, the Hands-Free Ohio bill will make driving while handling any electronic wireless device a primary offense. This includes, but is not limited to, writing, sending, or reading text-based communications; watching or recording videos; taking photos or looking at images; livestreaming; using apps; entering information into GPS navigation programs; dialing phone numbers; or holding a device for a phone call.

Currently, using a hand-held electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication while driving is a secondary offense for adult drivers (ORC 4511.204). Law enforcement cannot make a traffic stop unless the driver also commits a primary traffic offense, such as running a red light. The penalty is a fine of up to $150.

The Hands-Free Ohio bill will increase fines for drivers who habitually use devices while driving. In cases where a driver using a device causes serious injury or death, the penalties will mirror those of drunken driving.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 13, 2020

FOR Ohio statement on Governor’s plan to combat distracted driving

(Columbus, OH) — The following statement can be attributed in whole or in part to Curt Steiner, spokesman for Fix Our Roads Ohio (FOR Ohio):

“Distracted driving poses a deadly serious and increasing threat to the safety all those traveling on Ohio’s roadways. The time has come to pass and enact a “hands-free” law in Ohio, as 21 other states have done, which will reduce the number of needless injuries and deaths in our state.

“We applaud Governor DeWine’s leadership on this issue, as well as the efforts of Senator Stephanie Kunze and Senator Sean O’Brien. FOR Ohio strongly supports the bipartisan legislation that was announced today and we look forward to working closely with Governor DeWine and all members of the General Assembly to make a difference that will save lives in Ohio.”

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Fix Our Roads Ohio (FOR Ohio) is a coalition of stakeholders united in support of Ohio’s transportation future. This includes supporting efforts to secure critical funding for Ohio’s transportation infrastructure, as well as advocating for laws that encourage safe driving habits for all motorists sharing Ohio’s roads and highways. A list of FOR Ohio members can be found at www.fixourroadsohio.com/meet-the-coalition/

www.FixOurRoadsOhio.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of the Governor
Friday, December 20, 2019

Fatalities on Ohio Roads Increase in 2019

Ohio State Highway Patrol to Focus on Distracted Driving Over Holidays;
Governor DeWine Challenges Ohioans to Drive Without Distractions
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that deaths caused by traffic crashes on Ohio’s roads this year have increased over 2018, making 2019 one of the deadliest years on Ohio roads during this decade.

A total of 1,119 people have been killed in traffic crashes in Ohio this year to date, as compared to 1,068 traffic deaths during the entire year of 2018. Overall, traffic fatalities have increased in five of the past six years.

“Distracted driving involving smartphones is, without a doubt, a major contributing factor to this increase in traffic fatalities, which is why I’ve asked the Ohio State Highway Patrol to increase enforcement of distracted driving violations over the holidays,” said Governor DeWine. “As we launch into one of the busiest travel times of the year, the way we drive will impact how many people are home for the holidays and how many people ring in the new year.”

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, more than 91,000 distracted driving crashes occurred in Ohio from 2013 to today resulting in more than 47,000 injuries. A total of 305 people were killed in distracted driving crashes during the same period. Because drivers don’t always admit to distracted driving, the actual number of distracted driving crashes, injuries, and deaths are believed to be significantly higher.

“I’m challenging everyone to put your smartphones away while you drive over the holidays and to make it your New Year’s resolution to drive without distraction every day going forward,” said Governor DeWine. “If you have a passenger, ask them to read or write texts for you, or if you are the passenger, speak up if you see your driver reaching for the phone.”

Parents are also encouraged to take time to talk with their young drivers about driving distractions. Between 2013 and 2018, Ohioans age 16-20 had the highest number of distracted driving crashes, followed by drivers between the ages of 21-25.

Ohio law bans the use of any electronic wireless communications devices for drivers under 18. Texting while driving is illegal for all drivers but is a secondary offense for drivers 18 and above.
In addition to smartphone distractions, distracted driving includes any non-driving activity with the potential to distract a person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing. Distractions can be visual, taking eyes off of the road; manual, taking hands off the wheel; or cognitive, taking the mind off driving. Texting while driving is an example that results in all three types of distraction.

The increased distracted driving enforcement by the Ohio State Highway Patrol will occur in addition to the patrol’s enhanced focus on impaired driving in December as part of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.

ODOT will also use their digital highway message boards over the holidays to promote safe driving and remind drivers of the dangers of distracted driving and impaired driving.