Ohio drivers need to take extra care now that House Bill 95 went into effect
on Monday, October 29. This change to the law adds a new $100 fine for
drivers charged with distracted driving, and makes distracted driving
a secondary offense.
This new fine would be in addition to any other moving violation fines
– this means that a driver pulled over and charged with reckless
driving can also be charged with distracted driving. Distracted driving
in Ohio now covers distractions including, but not limited to:
- Putting on makeup
- Using a phone or tablet
- Reading
- Texting
“Our legislative goal is to encourage Ohio drivers to be cautious
when driving and to think of their safety before anything else,”
State Representatives Jim Hughes (R-Upper Arlington), one of the bill’s
co-sponsors said. “No text message or phone call is worth losing
your life or harming someone else.”
However, not all drivers may need to pay the fine if convicted or after
pleading guilty. The Ohio Department of Public Safety created a distracted
driver course that is available instead of paying the additional distracted
driving fine as long as they pay any other fines established by other
violations, completes the course, and provides written evidence that the
course was completed. The course can be found on the Ohio Bureau of Motor
Vehicle’s Driver Training site.
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