DeWine Marks Beginning of Strengthened Distracted Driving Law
State of Ohio Launches New Educational Campaign for Drivers
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson, Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Colonel Charles Jones, and Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks today unveiled a new statewide public awareness campaign to draw attention to Ohio’s strengthened distracted driving laws.
Beginning on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, it will be illegal in most circumstances for anyone in Ohio to use or hold a cell phone or electronic device while driving.
The new educational campaign encourages Ohio drivers to 'Lock Your Screen Before You Rock the Road' and includes a new website, billboards, printable posters, fact sheets, presentation slides, tip cards, and social media, radio, and television advertisements. Additional materials relay the simple, but important message of 'Phones Down. It's the Law.'
"Distracted driving crashes aren't accidents, they're the result of drivers who make the choice to divert their attention away from the road and risk their lives and the lives of everyone around them," said Governor DeWine. "Far too many people have been seriously injured and killed in Ohio because of poor choices behind the wheel, and we are certain that this new law will influence positive changes in behavior and save lives as a result."
New research from Nationwide Insurance found that 42 percent of Ohio drivers surveyed admit making a phone call on a handheld device while driving, 25 percent say they’ve texted while driving, 10 percent have video chatted, and 5 percent admitted to watching TV or a movie while driving.
“There is nothing worse than having to knock on a door and inform someone that their loved one isn’t coming home. We know distracted driving is dangerous, and we are hopeful that this new law will be a reminder of that,” said Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Colonel Charles Jones.
Ohio's strengthened law designates the use of cell phones and other electronic communications devices while driving as a primary traffic offense for all drivers and allows law enforcement to immediately pull over a distracted driver upon witnessing a violation. Under the previous law, distracted driving was a primary offense only for juvenile drivers, preventing officers from stopping adult distracted drivers unless those drivers also committed a separate primary traffic violation, such as speeding or running a red light.
The law includes a 6-month grace period in which law enforcement will issue warnings as part of an effort to educate motorists about the law changes. Beginning on October 4, 2023, law enforcement officers will begin issuing tickets to those found violating the law.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, distracted driving has caused at least 60,421 crashes and 209 deaths in Ohio over the past five years, although distracted-driving crashes are believed to be significantly underreported.
“There’s nothing that you’ve ever done on your phone at any point in time that is worth killing somebody for,” said Leah Fullenkamp, whose husband was killed in 2018 when his vehicle was rear-ended by a driver who was online shopping.
“This goes beyond just texting. We’re now seeing drivers watching videos, updating social media, and browsing the web. When a driver chooses to look at their phone, they are impacting every single person on the roadway,” said Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks.
ODOT is also installing signage to educate motorists about the law at locations across the state. These include 45 signs at the state border on interstates and U.S. highways and 19 signs at exits from Ohio’s largest passenger airports in Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo.
“This new law is about changing behavior,” said Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. "Drivers need to be more responsible for their own safety and to keep from harming others on our roads.”
Ohio's enhanced distracted driving law was part of Senate Bill 288, sponsored by Senator Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville). The bill was initially part of House Bill 283 sponsored by representatives Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) and Brian Lampton (R-Beavercreek).
There are some exceptions to the law, including allowing adult drivers to make or receive calls while using a hands-free device. Adult drivers are also permitted to use GPS if they begin navigation before getting on the road. Adult drivers are still permitted to hold a phone directly to their ear for a phone call, but devices may only be activated with a single touch or swipe while driving. Adult drivers are also permitted to hold or use electronic devices while stopped at a traffic light or parked on a road or highway during an emergency or road closure. Both adults and juveniles can use phones at any time to report an emergency to first responders.
National Distracted Driving Enforcement Mobilization
April 3-10, 2023
This year'sU Drive. U Text. U Pay. high visibility enforcement (HVE) media campaigncenters on aiding law enforcement officers in their efforts to keep texting and distracted drivers off the road. Distracted driving is a first offense in many States and continues to gain recognition across the nation as a deadly traffic safety epidemic.
NHTSA research shows that large scale, high-visibility enforcement combined with paid/earned media can effectively reduce hand-held cell phone use and texting while driving. The studies suggested that the public's perception of robust enforcement is crucial to reducing the behavior.
NHTSA and Traffic Safety Marketing feature downloadable campaign materials designed for States and traffic safety advocates. We anticipate that this persuasive message will resonate with the target audience of men and women 18-34.
The message is clear: U Drive. U Text. U Pay.
Click here to download the 2023 campaign materials.
On behalf of the NHTSA team, thank you for your proactive support in distracted driving prevention.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Last year, The Ohio Traffic Safety Office released its first educational video for use by parents, teachers, and driver education instructors to help them explain the dangers of distracted driving to teens.
The 5-minute light-hearted video is targeted toward youthful drivers and features a pair of young hosts answering the distracted driving questions that instructors get the most.
More videos coming soon! Stay tuned to future editions of TrafficWise for links to videos on Sharing The Road, Top Reasons for Crashes and Ohio's Graduated Driver Licensing program.
Preliminary NSC Estimates: Traffic Deaths Remain Historically High
The National Safety Council recently released preliminary estimates of total motor-vehicle deaths in 2022 showing that 46,270 people lost their lives in preventable traffic crashes. While this estimate marks a 2% decrease from 2021, it still represents a 9% increase over 2020. And compared to pre-pandemic 2019, the mileage death rate in 2022 increased nearly 22%.
While we have seen progress in recent years, such as updating the language from “accidents” to “crashes” in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, seeing the release of the National Roadway Safety Strategy in 2022 with its goal of zero fatalities on U.S. roads and wider implementation of the Safe System approach, we clearly have much more work to do. For a second consecutive year more than 46,000 people did not make it home to their families and loved ones. We remain committed to working together and supporting new and existing efforts to achieve zero roadway deaths by 2050.
The finalized crash reports from Ohio are now complete. In 2022, a total of 1,275 people were killed on Ohio's roads.
Have you ever considered becoming a motorcycle instructor?
The demand is higher than ever for passionate and dedicated instructors to train the next generation of riders. While the state has come a long way in reducing motorcycle-related fatalities, we still have a long way to go.
WHY become a motorcycle instructor?
You can make a positive impact in the riding community. Our well-trained and knowledgeable instructor base makes a difference in training individuals to “Ride S.M.A.R.T.”
The 2-wheel instructor training is broken down into in-person and virtual sessions:
100% attendance is required.
The course is 90+ hours, including pre-course assignments.
You must pass the final exams and meet specific training requirements before becoming certified.
You are invited to an information session to learn more:
April 4th: 7-8:30 pm, Lakeland Community College - Holden University Center in Kirtland
April 5th: 11:30am -1:30 pm: The Ohio Department of Public Safety in Columbus
To learn more about what it takes, please visit this link.
To complete our online questionnaire, please visit this link.
420 Drug-Impaired Driving Prevention Campaign
April 20, 2023 (Thursday)
Although its origins are uncertain, April 20th (more commonly known as 420) has become synonymous with marijuana use and, in some circles, this date is considered is a "marijuana holiday”. Consequently, there will likely be an increase in marijuana use.
As highway safety advocates, your efforts will help reduce the number of crashes and fatalities due to drug-impaired driving. Make a difference by increasing enforcement efforts, raising public awareness, and maximizing your local resources.
Click here to download your campaign materials now.
TRAFFIC SAFETY RESOURCE PROSECUTORS VIDEO TRAINING SERIES
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OHIO INTOXILYZER 8000 FOR PROSECUTORS - to view click here.
WEBINAR SERIES
*The following webinars are approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 1.5 CLE credit hours for prosecutors* You must virtually attend the live webinar for CLE credit. Please email your bar number to Holly Reese (hreesetsrp@gmail.com) at the conclusion of the webinar to have it submitted to the Supreme Court.
APRIL TRAFFIC TUESDAY WEBINAR
Title: The Cannabis Impaired Driver: What We Can Expect to See (Ohio Bar Approval for 1.5-hr CLE General Credit)
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Time: 2:00p-3:30p Eastern
Presenter: Shannon Bryant - Nevada TSRP
Description: Cannabis is not a new drug to the impaired driving scene. However, as more states continue to legalize its use for recreational purposes, the cannabis industry has exploded along with the variety and forms of the products. Many of these products contain few, if any, of the telltale signs of the past, such as odor. The mainstreaming of these products has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of people using cannabis products and choosing to get behind the wheel. This presentation will cover how cannabis affects the human brain and how those effects translate into observable indicators, allowing for law enforcement to better document the cannabis DUI case to enhance the ability of prosecutors to proceed with such a case. Additionally, it will provide a background into cannabis impairment for prosecutors, so that they can better evaluate and prepare for the handling of the difficult cannabis DUI case in court using a Drug Recognition Expert or other expert witness.
There is no charge to attend this webinar, but you must register in advance. Click here for more information and to register online.
MAY TRAFFIC TUESDAY WEBINAR
Title: The Implicit Four-Letter Word: Bias in Traffic Cases (Ohio Bar Approval for 1.5-hr CLE general credit)
Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Time: 2p-3:30p Eastern
Presenter: Nicole Cofer - WV TSRP
Description: Implicit Biases are held by all regardless of race, gender or status, and that bias has the ability to spill into our work. This talk with take a look at the role bias can play in the investigation, prosecuting and sentencing of traffic cases, and help us to look inward to be cognizant of what biases we may possess and if those biases play a role in how we handle our cases.
There is no charge to attend this webinar, but you must register in advance. Click here for more information and to register online.
JUNE TRAFFIC TUESDAY WEBINAR
Title: .05 - Utah's Experiment in Saving Lives(Ohio Bar Approval for 1.5-hr CLE general credit)
Description: This session will discuss how Utah became the first state in the country to have a per se impaired driving level of .05 BAC. What happened? What is happening now? Where is this going? This session will discuss the mandatory training included in the statute for law enforcement that goes along with the amended per se impaired driving level. It will review how police, prosecutors, and the courts have all responded to the change and how things are really going when the rubber hits the road in Utah now with four years of experience after the change took place.
There is no charge to attend this webinar, but you must register in advance. Click here for more information and to register online.
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) provides officers with general knowledge related to drug impaired driving and to promote the use of Drug Recognition Experts (DRE). Law enforcement officers will learn to observe, identify and articulate the signs of impairment related to drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both, in order to reduce the number of impaired driving crashes.
The ARIDE program stresses the importance of the signs and symptoms of the seven drug categories. Officers attending this course will receive an update/refresher of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFSTs) and must successfully pass an SFST proficiency evaluation. This training also promotes interaction with representatives from the state's prosecution community who are encouraged to attend. The instructors for this course are all Ohio DRE certified instructors.
Prerequisite: Law enforcement officers must have had training in SFST (previously ADAP). This course is funded through an OTSO/NHTSA grant and is free for sworn Ohio law enforcement officers and prosecutors only. Tuition for out-of-state officers is $250.
Upcoming classes:
April 17-18,2023 - Westerville
May 15-16, 2023 - Nelsonville
May 22-23, 2023 - Elyria
June 12-13, 2023 - Warren
July 10-11, 2023 - Cincinnati
August 21-22, 2023 - Springfield
September 11-12, 2023 - London
September 25-26, 2023 - New Philadelphia
October 16-17, 2023 - Nelsonville
October 23-24, 2023 - Cincinnati
November 13-14, 2023 - Elyria
November 27-28, 2023 - London
December 18-19, 2023 - Delaware
To view more upcoming classes and to register, click here.
Updated Manuals Available to Download
NHTSA has released updated ARIDE and SFST manuals for 2023:
The Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Program is a traffic safety program that focuses on the detection, apprehension and adjudication of drug-impaired drivers.
A DRE is a law enforcement officer highly trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs other than or in addition to alcohol.
For more information, upcoming training dates and how to apply for this free training, please view the DRE Application, School Information and upcoming classes by clicking here.
Advanced Cannabis Impairment Training (ACIT)
ACIT is an 8-hour course that is designed to train law enforcement officers to observe, identify and articulate the signs of impairment related to cannabis. The goal is to reduce impaired driving incidents and crashes that result in serious injuries and fatalities. The course includes classroom and practical instruction by Drug Recognition Experts. Dates:
June 7, 2023
August 17, 2023
September 7, 2023
Click here for more on the requirements to enroll and how to register.
IACP Technology Conference
International Association of Chiefs of Police
Premier professional event dedicated to technology in law enforcement (Salt Lake City, UT)
Columbus Division of Police Rolls Out Mobile Breath Testing Vehicle
'DUI Interceptor' to assist officers in the field processing suspected DUI drivers
As part of the OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) Countermeasures Program, the Columbus Division of Police has officially launched a mobile breath testing vehicle program, called the DUI Interceptor. The vehicle, which was provided through a grant, will patrol the streets of Columbus and surrounding areas starting March 15, 2023. The DUI Interceptor will assist officers roadside in the field, processing suspected DUI drivers on the spot. The vehicle’s capabilities eliminate the need for officers to transport an impaired driver to a police facility to conduct a breath test, thereby reducing the time it takes for DUI processing and giving police more time to answer patrol calls for service.
To produce a compelling and memorable program, the Division partnered with Ohio-based Bolder & Co. Creative Studios to develop the name, graphics, and a suite of promotional materials to introduce the program and raise awareness in the Columbus area. As a program name, DUI Interceptor aims to clearly state the Division’s goal: remove impaired drivers from the road. The stylized superhero graphics aim to be visually engaging while instilling confidence in the community that their safety is being protected. The tagline, “Going out tonight? So are we.” encourages people to make a plan before they begin drinking to get home safely. To help facilitate drivers making safer choices, the Division has established partnerships with local ride services and will share that information on DUI Interceptor promotional materials.
“Our aim is always to promote safe, sober driving,” said Sergeant Adam Barton from the OVI Countermeasures Unit. “The publicity around this program and the visibility of the vehicle are meant to make people think twice about driving after they’ve been drinking, knowing that if they do drive impaired, they will be charged.”
REMEMBER the OTSO offers materials for numerous traffic safety campaigns, including impaired driving, restraint usage, distracted driving, speeding and motorcycles. Utilizing the numerous materials found here can make an impact that will reach beyond your community. By raising public awareness YOU can help save lives. The order form can be found by clicking here.
Localized Traffic Safety Bulletins Available Online:
In partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, OTSO will biannually publish 88 county-specific driver training bulletins for use by parents, teachers, and driving instructors to help educate young drivers on local-level driving trends, dangerous roads and intersections, and seatbelt usage.
Individual data sheets for every county in Ohio are available for download HERE.
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