OHIO — Two years after it became law that it is a primary offense to use a cellphone, or electronic device, while driving, officials say results are being delivered.
Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, signed Senate Bill 288 into law in 2023.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, on average, crashes have dropped 8% in Ohio. Injuries are down 3% and traffic fatalities have dropped 4% since the law took effect.
“We’re certainly seeing less distracted driving than before the law went into effect, but we still have a long way to go,” said DeWine. “I appreciate all the drivers who have chosen to stay focused on the road, and I encourage more drivers to do the same. Distracted-driving crashes are completely avoidable.”
Cambridge Mobile Telematics’ data showed a 10% drop in cellphone use throughout the state among drivers who share device data through employer-based safety programs or in exchange for insurance discounts. It estimates the law has saved Ohio at least $337 million in economic damages.
In 2024, there were 8,571 distracted-driving-related crashes, resulting in 29 people killed and 4,458 injured. Officials said the crashes were under-reported.
Of these crashes, 36% happened at an intersection.
Cellphone data in Ohio, and nationwide, shows that drivers are more distracted Monday through Friday during the afternoon commute and on weekends after 10 a.m.
“Ohio’s hands-free law is saving lives,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “With increased enforcement, we are seeing fewer crashes, but the responsibility on the road starts with every driver. No distraction is worth the risk.”
When it comes to demographics, younger male drivers are more likely to drive distracted than young female drivers. From 2019 to 2024, 63% of the crashes involved drivers 35-years-old or younger, with 60% being males.
Officials said most of the crashes happened on roads with speed limits of 35 mph, followed by roads with 25 and 55 mph limits. The most fatalities happened on 55 mph roadways.
For Ohio, the top five counties with these crashes between 2020 and 2024 were Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Franklin, Montgomery and Lucas.
Fines for breaking the law start at $150 and increase to $500. The fines are doubled if a violation happens in a work zone.
The state is also aiming to educate and raise awareness for the public. Drivers can take the state’s online distracted-driving safety course, created by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, which allows first-time offenders to be eligible for reduced fines and points when they submit their course completion certificate to the court.
Ohio’s top 10 cities for course completions are Columbus, Toledo, Cincinnati, Lorain, Youngstown, Elyria, Akron, Lima, Ashtabula and Mansfield.
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