Senator Smith Delivers Sponsor Testimony on Bill to Ban Texting While Driving

COLUMBUS – Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) delivered sponsor testimony today on Senate Bill 164 to ban text messaging while driving in the State of Ohio. Currently, 18 states have passed similar legislation.

“Multitasking behind the wheel is dangerous,” said Senator Smith to the Senate Committee on Highways and Transportation. “Because this practice is becoming more commonplace and is a growing danger on the roads, I believe that the Ohio Senate should move swiftly to join the growing number of city councils, legislatures, and federal officials who want to address the spread of this serious driving distraction.”



Senate Bill 164 does the following:

1. Bans persons from text messaging on any “mobile communication device” while driving a motor vehicle, trackless trolley, street car in any street, highway property that is for public vehicular use.
2. The original version of SB 164 calls for text messaging while driving to be a secondary offense. After discussions with safety experts, the bill will be amended to make it a primary offense.
3. First-time offenders will be fined $200, second-time offenders $500. Each additional offense will warrant 100 hours of supervised community service work. Senator Smith welcomes discussion on adjusting these penalties.
4. This legislation guarantees that an offender who is involved in an accident at the time of text messaging while driving will stand trial.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, approximately 6,000 deaths and more than a half a million injuries were attributed to distracted driving in 2008.

“I hope Ohio acts promptly to join the other 18 states and the District of Columbia that have banned text messaging while driving, to make it clear that texting while driving is not welcomed in Ohio,” concluded Senator Smith.

To view Senate Bill 164 as introduced, visit:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_164