If you drive distracted in Ohio you will be issued a ticket and penalty under a new law.
The Driving while texting legislation, which was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine in January and took effect in April, makes it illegal to use or hold a cellphone or electronic device in your hand, lap or other parts of the body while driving on Ohio roads.
Up until this point, law enforcement has only been issuing warnings for distracted driving.
But now the penalties are:
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First offense – a fine of up to $150 and two points on your license.
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Second offense – a fine of up to $250 and three points on your license.
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Third offense – a fine of up to $500, four points on your license and a 90-day driver’s license suspension.
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Doubled fines for those caught using cellphones while driving in work zones.
Kent State University Police Department Sgt. Tricia Knoles said the law will be enforced just as any other traffic law. When the law went into effect in April it was an educational period and the police department was educating people but no citations were issued then.
"Now that it is in full effect people can receive citations for using electronic devices such as phones," Knoles said.
While drivers over the age of 18 may still legally make phone calls using a hands-free device like an electronic watch, earpiece, wireless headset or speakerphone, they should be cautious not to handle or hold the phone while driving.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) cautions drivers to avoid:
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Dialing phone numbers.
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Sending text messages.
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Updating social media.
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Browsing the web.
Click here for more information about the law.