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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2010 > March > 24 > Entry
Ohio House OKs texting-while-driving ban
The Ohio House on Wednesday, March 24, approved legislation that bans text messaging while driving.
The vote was 86-12. The bill now goes to the Senate. House Bill 415 makes texting while driving a primary offense - a motorist can be stopped for this activity alone - and sets a maximum penalty of a $150 fine. It provides a six-month grace period during which only warnings would be issued.
Twenty states, the District of Columbia and Guam already ban text messaging for all drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Fifteen states, Washington, D.C. and Guam have primary enforcement.
Rep. Barbara Sears, R-Sylvania, spoke against the bill. She said the real problem is distracted driving which includes shaving, putting on makeup and many other activities besides texting. Police should be encouraged to enforce existing laws against distracted driving, Sears said.
“I think we need to keep our eye on what the real issue is, teaching ourselves to be more attentive when we drive,” Sears said.
Rep. John Domenick, D-Smithfield, said he was tired of waiting to pass the bill. There are plenty of other distracting activities, including “scratching yourself.” The issue, he said, was “texting.”
“It’s time to save lives,” Domenick said.
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By null
March 25, 2010 12:00 AM | Link to this
Jim B apparently you are an officer if not then shut up .Its ok to ban texting but its ok for the police to text or type while driving . Heck kids today can text better than police can type so its ok for police to break the law but anybody else its not . If they ban cell phone while driving police will be the ones with withdraw they are on them all day and night .Now if they need to multi task then put 2 in a car or just use the dag gone radio like the old way , you do know it still works right
By jacob
March 24, 2010 11:37 PM | Link to this
Ms. Patterson you are an idiot. You cannot expect to legislate every last aspect of life to make life safer. If you were serious about saving lives, then we’d ban driving/alcohol/smoking/bicycle riding/snowboarding and every other activity that could potentially hurt others. The government that governs the least is the best. I stand behind Rep. Sears 100% on this. No surprise it’s Democrats that want this bill passed.
By carol patterson
March 24, 2010 11:20 PM | Link to this
Jacob, get real. We probably should ban YOUR driving. It’s because of these stupid people texting and killing that we have to have a ‘nanny’ state. You and your kind need to grow up and become responsible.
By Jim B
March 24, 2010 10:17 PM | Link to this
RE: taxpayer - if you have a problem with the police mutli-tasking, which is seldom but needed and I applaud their efforts. Why don’t you try putting yourself in our place. Join the crowd that actually does something to help others selflessly. Try doing something for society that gets you very little appreciation. Then again, I am sure you are happier on the sidelines complaining.
By taxpayer
March 24, 2010 9:21 PM | Link to this
Why is it that I have never saw someone wreck that was putting make up on or shaving . Its alway been while on cell or texting . I also want to know who will be watching the police they are the worst about being on a cell and I’m sure they text also , if they arent texting then how do they drive down the street typing in peoples license numbers to check on it . They do this while driving so are they banned from typing while driving and looking at a screen to the right of them
By haha
March 24, 2010 9:19 PM | Link to this
Is this just texting or can I still smoke my cigg, chat on my cell phone and change the radio station at the same time without a ticket or what? Just because you CAN do something, doesn’t mean you should. Just past a guy today with both hands texting while he was steering with his wrists, while looking down but… He didn’t hit me!
By Who Cares?
March 24, 2010 9:06 PM | Link to this
They need to ban all cell phone use while driving!!! These IDIOTS can’t MULTI-TASK and shouldn’t be driving!!!!
By maduro55
March 24, 2010 6:31 PM | Link to this
It’s about time. I used to drive the outerbelt around Columbus. I was always amazed at the things you’d see people do at 70 mph.
By retired
March 24, 2010 6:26 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe there are that many stupid people in Ohio.We don’t give a damn about others ,if I want to do something I’ll do it no matter what.Don’t be the first texter to run into me.You’ll fully regret it!!!
By Common Cents
March 24, 2010 6:24 PM | Link to this
Not often I agree w/a republican but Rep. Sears is absolutely correct
By Ann
March 24, 2010 6:22 PM | Link to this
I think they should also add talking on cell phones unless it is an emergency situation. I have almost been hit on local roads and the highway from both activities. And yes I can see when you are texting!
By Ben A
March 24, 2010 5:39 PM | Link to this
@Stacy Law. Drunk driving has caused an uncountable amount of traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Driving without insurance has never caused a single accident.
By DaytonHawk
March 24, 2010 5:36 PM | Link to this
Rep. Barbara Sears is 100% correct. Texting is Distracted Driving which is already illegal. This is just so all the politicians can go back to their home town and brag that they “Solved the Texting Problem”. Idiots.
By Stacy Law
March 24, 2010 5:22 PM | Link to this
You gotta love the preachy sound of, ” I wonder how many accidents have been caused by this senseless activity?” Yeah, I wonder. The answer is not many. Let’s enforce lawas against drunk driving and uninsured motorists first.
By ght
March 24, 2010 5:20 PM | Link to this
Hopefully you will not get into a wreck while texting. If so, hopefully it is only your bloody corpse that is scraped off the roads.
By RON
March 24, 2010 5:07 PM | Link to this
So how is this to be enforced outside of the interstates? Short of being dumb enough to hold my phone up in plain view while sitting at a stop light, I don’t see how I will be caught texting while behind the wheel.
By Don
March 24, 2010 5:06 PM | Link to this
Now lets see the police enforce it!! Headlights on while using the wipers, they have had their warning period. In the matter of two miles in a downpour I counted 14 cars no headlights. No law enforcement around they have been laid off!!
By Whatever
March 24, 2010 5:04 PM | Link to this
This is a total waste of time here. Until the cops enforce the laws we do have why make more that would, if enforced actually be worth anything?
By Lisa
March 24, 2010 5:02 PM | Link to this
I think it’s a great idea. A family friend was killed a couple of months ago due to the other driver texting. Many people don’t have common sense anymore.You need to focus on driving….the text can wait! It’s out of control. I don’t understand how anyone can be against this law….probably an offender!
By waste of time
March 24, 2010 4:57 PM | Link to this
This bill means nothing. I still see State Patrol and local Sheriffs cars pulling up next to a car full of young kids bouncing around without seat belts and the cops do NOTHING.
By Carol
March 24, 2010 4:54 PM | Link to this
It’s about time. I wonder how many accidents have been caused by this senseless activity?
By jacob
March 24, 2010 4:49 PM | Link to this
Here comes the nanny state again. Why not just ban driving, you’ll save thousands of lives!