Ohio's New Distracted Driving Law Takes Effect This Week: What You Should Know

A new law targeting distracted driving takes effect in Ohio, making it illegal for drivers to use or hold a cell phone or electronic device while driving on Ohio roads, with exceptions for using a speaker phone function or holding the phone to your ear for a conversation. Violators will be given warnings during a six-month grace period, and violations will start being issued on Oct. 4. The use of cell phones and other electronic communications devices will be considered a primary traffic offense for all drivers, allowing law enforcement to immediately pull over a distracted driver upon witnessing a violation.