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Buckeye State residents have been given plenty of time to get used to the change in distracted driving law that took effect April 4. The six-month grace period is over, and law enforcement officers are issuing citations for those who are using electronic communications devices while driving.
"The use of cell phones and other electronic communications devices while driving (is) a primary traffic offense for all drivers and allows law enforcement to immediately pull over a distracted driver upon witnessing a violation," Gov. Mike DeWine's office said.
Drivers using, holding or "supporting" a device will be cited. That includes: dialing a phone number, sending a text message (voice to text is legal using a hands-free method), video calls, browsing the internet, watching videos, playing games and recording or streaming video.
If you're under 18, the restrictions are even tighter. Use of any device, in any way -- even hands-free -- is prohibited.
There are financial penalties and hits to insurance rates to worry about, but the bottom line is this law will save lives.
"My hope is that this legislation will prompt a cultural shift around distracted driving that normalizes the fact that distracted driving is dangerous, irresponsible, and just as deadly as driving drunk," DeWine said.
It should. Many vehicles make hands-free communication easier these days, but even if yours does not, there is no text more important than your own life and the lives of others.