COLUMBUS — Citing an increase in traffic fatalities, Gov. Mike DeWine says it’s time that distracted driving be reason enough to pull someone over.
The governor said Friday it’s also time for a cultural recognition that texting or calling while driving is as dangerous as drunken driving.
Distracted driving includes texting, making calls or surfing the internet while driving.
It is currently considered a secondary offense for drivers over 18, meaning police must have another reason to pull someone over.
DeWine says he hopes to bring a proposal to the Legislature soon to make it a primary offense.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says traffic deaths have increased over 2018, making 2019 one of the deadliest years on Ohio roads during this decade, DeWine said.
A total of 1,119 people have been killed in traffic crashes in Ohio traffic fatalities have increased in five of the past six years and DeWine says distracted driving involving smartphones is, “without a doubt, a major contributing factor.”
According to the highway patrol, 305 people were killed in distracted driving crashes since 2013.