Having become law on October 29, House Bill 95 establishes Ohio’s unique approach of combating distracted driving by enhancing existing moving violations.

For example, law enforcement officers no longer will need to prove a driver is texting, but only that a moving violation has occurred and the driver was distracted at the time.

The law requires an enhanced financial penalty in addition to existing fines or alternatively the completion of a distracted driver course, for drivers who commit a specific traffic violation while distracted. For example, a driver operating a vehicle outside marked lanes who is also engaging in a distracted behavior, will face an enhanced fine of up to $100 in addition to a fine for the lane violation.  Other violations such as red light, stop sign, speeding, and other moving violations similarly would result in potentially higher fines.[widgets_on_pages id=1] The Ohio Department of Public Safety was tasked with creating a distracted driver course for offenders who plead guilty or are convicted of a specific traffic violation while distracted. This course is available in lieu of paying the enhanced court fine of $100 or less, providing the offender pays the total amount of the fine established by the violation and submits written evidence of completion of the distracted driver course.

The one-hour course discusses what distracted driving is, who is a distracted driver, cell phone distractions, the risks and consequences of driving distracted, and combating distracted driving.

The distracted driver course became available on October 29 and can be found on the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle’s Driver Training website (https://www.drivertraining.ohio.gov).

Source: State of Ohio


1808AM
Sign up here for 1808AM, our incredible weekday morning enewsletter, bringing you the latest Delaware County news -- for free!
You May Also Like

From Heart To Home: Thanksgiving Meal Kit Giveaway Scheduled

This initiative fosters a sense of togetherness within the community.

Join the 2024 Olentangy River Clean-Up

Participants will gather at the Mingo Park Canoe Access Point.

Register Today For Maple Sugar Tours

Each late winter and early spring, the sap is ready. The stored-up…

Take A New Year’s Day Hike

New Year’s Day Hike at Shale Hollow Park Get outside to start…