Ohio Laws on Cellphone Use While Driving
While smartphones have revolutionized everyday life, one negative effect is phone use while driving. In response to the growing problem of distracted driving, Ohio has laws limiting how drivers may use their cellphone behind the wheel. This page explains Ohio’s distracted driving laws and how they affect you.
Ohio Distracted Driving Laws
The key law prohibiting distracted driving in Ohio is Section 4511.204 of the Ohio Revised Code. This law says that all drivers are banned from using an “electronic wireless communication device” to write, send, or read text messages. However, this is a “secondary offense” in most cases, meaning that you can’t be charged unless a police officer pulls you over for another reason.
Rules regarding cellphone use while driving in Ohio are stricter for drivers under 18 (Section 4511.205). Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use a cellphone while driving, except for navigation (i.e., “Google Maps”). This is a primary offense, meaning a police officer can pull you over without having another cause.
Is it Illegal to Talk on the Phone While Driving in Ohio?
While Ohio bans all texting while driving, talking on the phone is not banned, at least for adults. Drivers over age 18 can talk on the phone while driving. However, drivers under 18 are not allowed to talk on the phone.
Can I use the phone for navigation?
Both the adult and minor versions of the statute have an exception for use of a phone for navigation. So both adults and minors may use a phone to follow online maps or directions.
The Problem with Texting While Driving
Why is texting while driving singled out under Ohio law, while adult drivers are still allowed to talk on the phone behind the wheel? The reasoning pertains to the unique dangers of texting while driving.
According to the CDC, the three main types of driving distractions are:
- Visual distractions, which cause you to take your eyes off the road
- Manual distractions, which prevent you from keeping one or both hands on the wheel
- Cognitive distractions, which prevent you from focusing on driving
Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it involves all three types of distractions. A driver isn’t watching the road when he or she looks down at a phone, so it’s a visual distraction. The driver will need to take at least one hand off the wheel to type a message, so texting is also a manual distraction. Lastly, when texting, the driver isn’t paying attention to what’s happening around them, making texting a cognitive distraction as well.
Because texting and driving is distracting in multiple ways, lawmakers have focused on texting instead of all types of cellphone use.
Talk to an Experienced Ohio Car Accident Lawyer Today
Despite Ohio’s distracted driving laws, accidents due to texting and driving are common. If you were injured in a crash with a texting driver, the Ohio car accident lawyer at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law can help you pursue compensation for your injuries.
Contact our Akron car accident lawyer today for a free initial consultation.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we only represent consumers. We fight for regular people who have been seriously hurt in accidents. We fight for people who are being crushed by overwhelming debt and need a fresh start. We fight for individuals and families. Never businesses. Never insurance companies. We are loyal to the consumer.
