HILLIARD (Lu Ann Stoia) -- Communities across Central Ohio are beefing up enforcement of distracted driving laws. Ohio lawmakers enacted a bill last year that made September "Distracted Driving Month."
In Hilliard, police have been giving a lot of warnings to people who are not keeping their eyes on the road. So far this year about eight citations have been written for distracted driving. But officer Mike Metz said many times people get tickets for bigger offenses instead, like assured clear distance accidents and speeding in school zones.
Metz said laws are stricter for minors-drivers under 18 cannot talk on their cell phones and are prohibited from texting. The young motorists can be pulled over specifically for committing that offense.
"I think they don't realize the danger they are putting themselves in and the motoring public when they are in a car and distracted by texting their friends, listening to music changing stations things like that," said Metz. "Not until it's too late."
The Ohio Highway Patrol reports when it comes to adults, 198 were cited in 2013 for texting and driving. So far in 2014, they have cited 231 drivers. As for teenagers, OHP said in 2013, 39 citations were issued and in 2014, 22 teen drivers have been ticketed.
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