Senator Smith Introduces Legislation to Ban Texting While Driving Statewide

Cleveland – State Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland)announced that she has re-introduced legislation that creates a statewide ban on the dangerous habit of texting while driving.

“It is imperative that we move to prohibit this extremely dangerous behavior,” said Senator Smith. “Senate Bill 154 ensures that Ohio has a consistent, statewide law that addresses texting while driving. Drivers need to know that Ohio will not tolerate texting from behind the wheel. Ohio needs to take a strong stance on this issue, and I hope that Ohio policymakers understand the need for this legislation. I have long been an advocate on this issue, and I will continue to fight for the bill’s passage.”

Senator Smith noted that her last texting legislation, Senate Bill 164, had the full support of the Ohio Conference of AAA Clubs, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, and the public. A Quinnipiac University poll at that time revealed that 89 percent of Ohioans wanted a statewide bad on texting while driving.

“Cities such as Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo have already taken the lead in curbing this dangerous driving behavior. Thirty states and the District of Columbia have also instituted bans on texting while driving,” Senator Smith said. “There is no reason to delay passing a statewide law. Continued inaction on this issue will only result in an increasing number of accidents and deaths.”