Comments on: Ohio: Cell phone laws, legislation

By: Timmie Cox

Timmie Cox — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:15:10 +0000

I am so against chat texting on cellphones. I was hit by a person on the cellphone here in Mansfield Ohio and there is nothing being done about it. Please if someone who knows how to make my voice heard hwere in this city where everyone seems too be on the cellphone even the police before lives begin to be taken for some that can be banned. I am now suffering from PTSD and it is bad I never had this before and would like to do something about it here.

By: Karl

Karl — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:55:47 +0000

Several years ago I approached the mayor in the city in which I live and asked him about getting texting and cell phone use while driving legislation passed. He said that he could not support it because he wants to see a State law “with some bite to it.” Lame to say the least, he may be one of those who talks on the phone when he drives. Also, saw a State Senator (from the license plate) on the phone while driving and let’s say that he would fail miserably if he were taking his driving exam.

By: Karl

Karl — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:47:15 +0000

HB 99 and SB 35 BOTH need to be passed and ENFORCED soon. It’s a matter of safety not politics or special interests of cellular phone companies. Furthernmore, this State can use the fine money for needed bolstering law enforcement and other worthwhile expenses. If NY and other states can pass cell phone legislation (and enforce it), WHY NOT Ohio statewide?

By: Editor

Editor — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:40:35 +0000

Thanks for the comment, K. House Bill 99 has not been approved by the Senate and will not take effect this year, if ever.

By: K

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:07:48 +0000

So, as I was stuck at a RED LIGHT, I texted some one (shoot me..I know). Was pulled over no less than 30 seconds later by a Rocky River policeman who went on a tirade about the dangers of texting while driving. Mentioning the driver who killed someone in Hudson, mocking my resonse to “no” when asked if I knew it was illegal to ” even take your eyes off the road”, swearing unprofessionally and telling me he should write me a ticket. Which lead me to google the actual law (and here) and technically, based on HB 99, police arent able to issue tickets (in non banned already ordinances) until 12/28/2011.

Unfortunately, Im sick and didnt feel like debating the finer points of this bill with him but this bill clearly caveats plenty of exceptions where taking your “eyes off the road” is perfectly acceptable (I.e. “For navigational purposes”) He even explained its completely “ok” to eat, drink, and talk on the phone while driving since your eyes don’t “need” to leave the road…

Call me crazy, but Im pretty sure cars not built with steering wheel radio station seekers, require a slight eye movement. So does putting your drink back into a holder, looking at a GPS, and many other things. Yes Im being “nit-picky” but my point is, bad things are going to happen on the road. Should we be doing 90 miles an hour on the freeway texting our autobiography? probably not.. but when your sitting at a red light, common sense should dictate appropriate reactions.

By: Guy Guidone

Guy Guidone — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:11:34 +0000

As a member of Louisville City Council, last night I presented sample legislation to my colleagues to make it illegal to send, read or write a text message or access the internet while operating a motor vehicle inside the municipal boundaries of the city. I feel that if more local government bodies pass ordinances to prohibit this dangerous behavior, the legislators in Columbus will take notice and create a statewide law.

By: Julia

Julia — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:47:01 +0000

Actually, you’re not supposed to stop on the road and let a deer cross. If it’s in the road, you hit it. You do not swerve to miss it and you do not stop. That is what is taught in driver’s ed these days. Unless there is no one around you, you should keep on going.

And for the person who said they wanted the police to investigate the 17 year old girl who rear ended them… let me guess, just because she was 17, you automatically assumed that she was texting, right? People these days…

And I’m going to guess that NONE of you text and drive (except for the guy who admitted it… xD)… right? None of you? That’s bull. Everyone does it, unless they don’t have a cell phone. Either way, we all drive distracted. If you’re paying attention to the people beside you rather than the road in front of you, that’s distracted driving. It’s not just cell phones, people. Think about it.

And I’m not stating my views on this, so don’t be all like, Well, she is clearly against the bills then. I am not for or against them. People will do what they want so why’s it going to matter what the law says.

By: Karl

Karl — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:48:34 +0000

I agree with Glynis. I don’t understand the holdup because it’s a no-brainer. Excuses need to stop being made about not having cell/texting laws. SB 35 and SB 99 both need to be passed and enforced now. The motorists who are against the laws DON’T HAVE TO LIKE THEM!!

By: Glynis Valenti

Glynis Valenti — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:43:26 +0000

I’m researching an article on kids & cell phones & am SHOCKED that Ohio hasn’t passed a state-wide law yet. I lived in NY and OR til last year where cell/texting is illegal while driving (hands free okay.) I was wondering about all of the irresponsible driving I’ve seen since I moved. On my way to a meeting last night the average was 3 out of 5 drivers yapping on cell phones–within the seven miles I drove to the mtg! This is out of control. Texting and hands-on cell use should be a primary offense.

By: Dan Krempel

Dan Krempel — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:47:14 +0000

I honestly hope they ban all hand held use while driving. I’m so sick of people on their cell phone while cutting me off, stopping short, swerving, failing to stop or sitting at green lights for no reason. When on my motorcycle, I can’t describe how many people have nearly killed me because they’re on the phone. I’ve been pushed into the emergency lane on the freeway several times by talkers – when I see them, I instantly red flag them as dangerous to myself. And I really don’t care if a ‘small minority’ are able to talk/txt “just fine”.