New numbers suggest Ohio’s distracted driving law is working, but Cleveland drivers admit there’s still work to do

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – It’s been lower than one month since Ohio’s new distracted driving legislation went into impact, banning using hand-held units whereas driving and permitting officers to tug individuals over in the event that they see a violation.

In line with Cambridge Cell Telematics, the ban has decreased distracted driving by 8%, stopping about 300 crashes.

The software program firm says final month, Ohio drivers spent a mean of 1 minute and 39 seconds per hour on their telephones. The quantity dropped to 1 minute and 31 seconds after the ban.

However there’s nonetheless work to do.

“I’ll be trustworthy, [sometimes] I’m on my telephone too,” at 19-year-old driver advised 19 Information. “It’s one thing I take into consideration. Typically I’ve to interrupt actually fast if I’m at a cease signal and I put my telephone down for the remainder of the drive.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the invoice into legislation on in January, increasing the state’s distracted driving legal guidelines, giving officers extra freedom to tug drivers over for violations.

“Distracted driving is a killer, it’s pointless,” DeWine mentioned at a day information convention. “If we are able to get rid of distracted driving, we are going to save many, many lives.”

When the legislation went into impact on April 4, texting whereas driving is prohibited and turns into a major offense.

It was already unlawful in Ohio, however it was a secondary offense for adults, which means officers wanted to witness a separate, major offense earlier than pulling drivers over.

The legislation additionally prohibits holding and taking a look at wi-fi units whereas on the transfer, together with getting into info into GPS.

Utilizing GPS units is allowed, however the info should be entered earlier than shifting.

Drivers over the age of 18 could make and take calls so long as they’re hands-free.

The legislation supplies exceptions in emergency conditions and whereas stopped at a purple gentle.

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