Distracted driving down since Ohio law in effect

COLUMBUS — Gov. Mike DeWine and leaders from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, a division of The Ohio Department of Public Safety, are encouraged by new data that shows the state’s strengthened distracted driving law is making a positive impact on Ohio’s roadways.

The report from Cambridge Mobile Telematics, the world’s largest telematics service provider, shows Ohio drivers are now spending less time handling their phones while driving since the law went into effect April 4.

The law makes it illegal in most cases for drivers to use or hold a cell phone or electronic device. The violation is now considered a primary offense, meaning any officer can pull over a driver immediately if they witness a violation.

CMT’s data analysis shows a

9.1% reduction in distracted driving in Ohio since April 4 has helped prevent 540 crashes, one fatality and $13 million in economic damages.

In March, Ohio drivers spent an average of 1 minute and 39 seconds interacting with their phones for every hour of driving. From April 4 through May 3, Ohio drivers used their phones while driving 1 minute and 30 seconds, a 9-second drop. A public awareness campaign is underway now to teach drivers about the new law. The “Phones Down. It’s The Law.” campaign includes television and radio ads, billboards, social media and a new website at phonesdown.ohio.gov.

As of May 10, over 2,100 campaign materials have been distributed to traffic safety partners across Ohio.