The Center for Social Justice (CSJ) at the by Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio wants to bring to the community’s attention a new statewide law, known as the “Distracted Driving Law”, that took effect on April 4, 2023. Although the Distracted Driving Law is already in effect, the six-month grace period, which ends October 5, 2023, means that officers will only issue warnings up until that date. This new law may have the concerning prospect of significantly increasing policing/community contacts, which is why the CSJ is disseminating information to the community. Informed community members are encouraged to take appropriate steps and precautions to avoid violating this law, which prompts police interactions. The Distracted Driving Law fundamentally changes what Ohio drivers can and cannot do with a cell phone, or other mobile device, while driving. This law lacks clarity and therefore, is not easily understood or enforced. Important information about the Distracted Driving Law can be found below.
Ohio Revised Code Sec. 4511.204 – No person shall operate a motor vehicle… on any street, highway, or property open to the public for vehicular traffic while using, holding, or physically supporting with any part of the person’s body an electronic wireless communications device.
An electronic wireless communications device includes YOUR CELL PHONE and/or TABLET .
WHAT CAN YOU NOT DO? You can not … |
Thus
you CANNOT
, for example
:
Thus you CANNOT, for example:
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WHAT CAN YOU DO? You can… |
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WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR THIS NEW LAW?
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY:
Buy a cell phone dash mount for your vehicle, if you can afford it.
Learn the voice operated functions of your phone, if available.
Learn the voice operated functions of your vehicle, if available.
Explore phone apps that assist in preventing distracted driving.
TO VIEW THE OFFICIAL SECTION OF REVISED CODE REGARDING THE DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW’S LANGUAGE, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW:
Established in 2020 in response to the nationwide protests against police brutality and misconduct, the Center for Social Justice collaborates with local communities and policymakers to advocate for police reforms, voting rights, education equity and health equity in Greater Southwestern Ohio. The Center engages in policy advocacy, data collection and reporting, community education and organizing to advance racial equity in our region.
For more information about this topic, contact Gabriel Fletcher, Managing Director of the Holloman Center for Social Justice at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio at (513) 872-5126, or GFletcher@ulgso.org.
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