Full question:
While in Ohio, can I use the cell phone while driving?
- Category: Automobiles
- Subcategory: Traffic Laws
- Date:
- State: Ohio
Answer:
In Ohio, the use of handheld cell phones while driving is determined by local laws. Generally, using a cell phone while driving is not prohibited. However, talking on a mobile phone can distract drivers and increase the risk of accidents. As a result, many states and local governments have made it illegal to use a cell phone while driving.
There is a common belief that hands-free devices are safer than handheld phones. However, studies, such as one from the Transport Research Laboratory, show that hands-free conversations can impair driving more than other distractions, like talking to a passenger.
Currently, no state in the U.S. prohibits hands-free cell phone use while driving. Nonetheless, dialing a phone can be more distracting than talking, so hands-free devices with voice-dialing may slightly reduce accident risks. Texting while driving is even more distracting because it requires taking eyes off the road. Text messaging is banned for all drivers in fourteen states and the District of Columbia.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.