Ohio House Approves Driver Texting Ban

March 26, 2010

Ohio motorists who text while they drive could be fined up to $150, under a bill approved by the state House of Representatives.

Legislation that passed with broad bipartisan support would make it a misdemeanor to read, write or send text messages while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. Twenty other states have similar laws, and Ohio communities including Cleveland and Toledo already have outlawed texting while driving.

Police in Ohio would begin enforcing the ban after a six-month period of warnings only.

One of the bill’s co-sponsors, Democratic Rep. Nancy Garland of the Columbus suburb of Gahanna said on the House floor that the measure will save lives.

Similar legislation is before the Ohio Senate.