COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two Ohio lawmakers are making another attempt to stiffen penalties for motorists caught driving while distracted.
Similar legislation has been introduced in the House, according to WBNS 10-TV, but a provision inserted into the two-year state transportation budget by the Department of Public Safety was removed.
Senators Jim Hughes (R- Columbus) and Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) have introduced a bill that increases the penalty for “committing a moving violation while distracted” to $100, the two announced in a release Wednesday.
“In today’s world, current technology has aided in the creation of a society that is constantly communicating, whether it be texting, emailing, searching directions, surfing the web or listening to music. The dangers of taking part in these activities while behind the wheel are a harsh reality on our roads,” Hughes said in the statement from his office.
The measure creates an “enhanced” penalty for distracted driving, but makes it a secondary offense, which means it can only be brought to bear when a driver is pulled over for another moving violation, a minor misdemeanor under current Ohio law, Hughes said.
Additionally, a law enforcement officer would only be able to issue a citation for distracted driving if they witness the offense at the same time as another moving violation, such as running a stop sign or red light, Hughes said.
The legislation would require that the driver pay a fine of $100 for each offense.
Hughes says automobile accidents in Ohio are the No. 1 killer of those ages 8 to 24 and that 11 percent of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.
“No text message or phone call is worth losing your life or harming someone else,” Hughes said.
Senate Bill 146 will be assigned to a Senate committee for further discussion.