Loading chat...
OH HB637
Bill
Status
10/14/2014
Primary Sponsor
Rex Damschroder
Click for details
AI Summary
HB 637 Summary
-
Prohibits use of electronic wireless communications devices while driving in school zones during school recess and opening/closing hours, and in construction zones during actual work hours.
-
Makes texting while driving (writing, sending, or reading text-based communications on a handheld device) a primary traffic offense rather than secondary, allowing law enforcement to stop vehicles solely for this violation.
-
Removes the exception that previously prevented law enforcement from stopping vehicles based on handheld texting violations alone at sobriety checkpoints and safety inspections.
-
Establishes penalties for violations including fines ($150 for first offense, $300 for repeat offenders) and 60-day driver's license suspension (one year for repeat offenders among minors).
-
Maintains exceptions for emergency communications, public safety vehicles, stationary vehicles, voice-operated devices, navigation systems, and commercial truck mobile data terminals.
Legislative Description
To prohibit the use of an electronic wireless communications device in a school zone during hours when children are present outside or in a construction zone during hours of actual work and to make driving a vehicle while using a handheld electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication a primary rather than secondary traffic offense.
Cell phone-prohibit use-school/construction zone/text & drive-primary offense
Last Action
Committee Report
12/4/2014