Columbus, OH (WLIO) - Republicans in the Ohio House have voted to increase the penalty for texting while driving. They passed a bill that would make the violation a primary offense, so law enforcement could pull you over if they see you texting and driving. Currently, they must pull the driver over for another reason to charge them for texting. Right now, they also allow drivers to hold their phones during a call and to physically push the buttons to make the call. If the proposed law is passed, it would prohibit drivers from using, holding, or physically supporting an electronic device, unless they are stopped at a red light, using the speakerphone function without holding the phone, or holding a phone to the drivers' ears for a call, but not using the texting or typing functions. The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration. Democrats say the bill doesn't go far enough and adds it isn't truly a “hands-free bill.”
