The Ohio Department of Transportation says there were nearly 80 thousand distracted driving crashes in Ohio in the last five years, killing at least 268 people and injuring more than 3 thousand.
A state task force has issued its report on the matter, and Governor Mike DeWine plans tocreate a panel to issue recommendations. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports.
The report from a task force formed last year says it believes smart phones are a reason why traffic deaths have increased in four of the past five years, and why 16-20 year olds have the highest number of distracted driving crashes. Philip Renaud with Ohio State University’s Risk Institute says the report has four major recommendations – more time dedicated to distracted driving in the driver’s ed curriculum, increased fines and points for distracted driving, more research and education into it, and…
“Ohio should enact one hands-free law with primary enforcement. Ohio currently has two state laws that are not clearly defined or widely enforced.”
DeWine will name members of the Distracted Driving Council soon.
