{"id":177797,"date":"2024-04-09T03:42:43","date_gmt":"2024-04-09T08:42:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=177797"},"modified":"2024-04-09T03:43:20","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T08:43:20","slug":"state-says-distracted-driving-law-working","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2024\/04\/09\/state-says-distracted-driving-law-working\/","title":{"rendered":"State says distracted driving law working"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VW independent staff\/submitted information<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

COLUMBUS — New data that shows Ohio\u2019s stronger distracted driving law is making a positive impact on the state\u2019s roadways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cambridge Mobile Telematics has been monitoring the impact of Ohio\u2019s distracted driving law over the past year. The law makes it illegal in most cases for drivers to use or hold a cell phone or electronic device. The violation is now considered a primary offense, meaning any officer can pull over a driver immediately if they witness a violation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CMT\u2019s phone motion data analysis shows a notable 8.6 percent decrease in distracted driving in Ohio since the law took effect. CMT estimates that this reduction has helped prevent 3,600 crashes, 2,000 injuries, 17 fatalities, and $144 million in economic damages since the effective date of the law. In the months leading up to the law\u2019s enforcement, Ohio drivers spent an average of one minute and 42 seconds interacting with their phones for every hour of driving. In month two of the law, this figure dropped to one minute and 30 seconds of distraction. According to CMT\u2019s analysis, Ohio has seen a consistent month-over-month decline in distracted driving, culminating in a reduction to one minute and 29 seconds by the tenth month, a 13-second drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis new data is indisputable evidence that strong laws, strict enforcement, and public awareness are the keys to preventing crashes and saving lives,\u201d said Emily Davidson, Ohio Traffic Safety Office executive director. \u201cEnding distracted driving is a priority and we are excited to see that we are on the right track to making our streets and highways safer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Ohioans will start seeing more ads for the \u201cPhones Down. It\u2019s The Law.\u201d campaign this month, which is National Distracted Driving Awareness month. Television and radio ads, billboards, and social media are directing viewers to the campaign website at phonesdown.ohio.gov. For the past year, OTSO has been distributing educational materials about the new law across the state. As of April 1, over 8,000 campaign items have been distributed to traffic safety partners and law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re on a long-term journey to change behavior,\u201d ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks said. \u201cElectronic distractions are as dangerous as driving impaired by drugs or alcohol and deserve the same stigma.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are penalties and fines for anyone convicted of violating Ohio\u2019s distracted driving law:<\/p>\n\n\n\n