COLUMBUS, Ohio — A proposal at the Ohio Statehouse has been introduced to keep all employees working in construction work zones safe. The proposal aims to target distracted driving, and impose higher fines.
The Ohio House proposal could fine first-time offenders an additional $400 and also require them to take a safe driving course. Meanwhile, second-time offenders could face an extra $800 fine and have their license suspended for a total of 90 days. After that, the fine could increase to $1,200 along with a year-long suspension.
What You Need To Know
- The Ohio House proposal could fine first-time offenders an additional $400 and also require them to take a safe driving course.
- The proposal also cracks down on second-time offenders by putting imposing an extra $800 fine and having their licenses suspended for a total of 90 days.
- Extra offenses could lead to an increase of nearly $1,200 along with a year-long suspension.
Justin Centers works for a privately owned company and helps manage traffic control. One of his company’s cars was recently struck by a distracted driver, and it’s something Centers says is not a rare case. Centers says his job could be life-threatening depending on the location and assignment.
“They’re putting everybody else and themselves in danger when they don’t want to pay attention,” said Centers, a flagger for Wright of Ohio LLC.
He believes a proposal at the Ohio Statehouse increasing penalties to a $400 fine in work zones along with license suspensions when a person is distracted and driving in work zones could be helpful. But, he says the main cause of the problem is people on the roadways are not being careful.
“They need to do what they need to do to make it safer for us,” Centers said.
“ODOT has had over approximately 56 incidents last year,” said State Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery). “And, 34 already this year. So, we’re on track to beat that record significantly. We need to just take the foot off the gas, tap the brakes, and slow down. Please show the employees some respect.”
“They are crashes because in many cases it’s human error that has led to them,” said Matt Bruning, the Press Secretary at the Ohio Dept. of Transportation. “It’s not an oops. It’s a decision that someone made to speed. It’s a decision that someone made to be distracted or be impaired.”
Bruning said The Ohio Department of Transportation is not taking a stance on the proposal, but the department does believe in safety procedures on Ohio roads.
“When you talk to our people, and most every ODOT employee has a close call story,” Bruning said. “When they talk about those close calls, or when they talk about getting hit, (a mobile phone) is part of it. They say there’s just too many people that are not paying attention to them.”
Matt Cease, the Operations manager at Wright, said he’s ecstatic the legislature is discussing safety hazards. Still, he said a penalty is not going far enough. He believes the bill could be a slap on the wrist for some distracted drivers in Ohio.
“You’re going to get it [the fine]. You’re going to get it.” said Cease."And you’re going to pay it, and then you’re going to go on with your day."
Cease said he just wants his coworkers and himself to go home safely each night. He believes it can be hard for workers, knowing it might be their last time seeing their families.
“I want to go home,” Cease said. “I’ve got three kids and four grandkids I want to get home to.”
The proposal has been assigned to the Ohio House Transportation Committee, but it has not received any hearings at this point.