OHIO — The number of distracted drivers continued to decline in the past year, according to new data from Cambridge Mobile Telematics, the world's largest telematics service provider.

Gov. Mike DeWine and leaders from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office said the new data shows Ohio's strengthened distracted driving law continues to have a positive impact on roadway safety.

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Mike DeWine said the new data shows Ohio's strengthened distracted driving law continues to have a positive impact

  • The law passed last April, making it illegal in most cases for drivers to hold a cellphone or electronic device with the violation now considered a primary offense

  • CMT has monitored the law's impact over the past year and its phone motion data analysis showed an 8.6% decrease in distracted driving since the law took effect

  • CMT's analysis showed a consistent month-over-month decline in distracted driving to a reduction of 1 minute 29 seconds by the law's tenth month, a 13-second drop

“Most distracted driving can be attributed to cellphone use, and this new report shows that Ohioans are committed to reducing this dangerous behavior,” said DeWine in a news release. “Distracted driving puts everyone on our roads at risk, and it’s clear this new law is saving lives.”

The law passed last April, making it illegal in most cases for drivers to hold a cellphone or electronic device with the violation now considered a primary offense. If officers witness a violation they can pull drivers over immediately.

CMT has monitored the law's impact over the past year and its phone motion data analysis showed an 8.6% decrease in distracted driving since the law took effect. The company estimates the reduction has prevented 3,600 crashes, 2,000 injuries, 17 fatalities and $144 million in economic damages, according to the news release. 

“This new data is indisputable evidence that strong laws, strict enforcement, and public awareness are the keys to preventing crashes and saving lives,” said Emily Davidson, OTSO executive director. “Ending distracted driving is a priority, and we are excited to see that we are on the right track to making our streets and highways safer.”

Leading up to the law's start date, Ohio drivers spent an average of 1 minute and 42 seconds on their phones for each hour of driving. In the law's second month, that number dropped to 1 minute 30 seconds of driving.

CMT's analysis showed a consistent month-over-month decline in distracted driving to a reduction of 1 minute 29 seconds by the law's tenth month, a 13 second drop.

More advertisements for "Phones Down. It's The Law," campaign will appear in April, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, from television and radio ads to billboards and social media posts.

“We’re on a long-term journey to change behavior. Electronic distractions are as dangerous as driving impaired by drugs or alcohol and deserve the same stigma,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.

As of April 1, more than 8,000 campaign items have been distributed to traffic safety partners and law enforcement.

“In a year since the passage of the Senate Bill 288, the State of Ohio has made significant strides to make the roads safer for all who use them and has become a great reference case on how to implement a strategy to reduce smartphone distraction,” said Ryan McMahon, SVP of Strategy for Cambridge Mobile Telematics.