Gov DeWine releases new education tool to help prevent distracted driving and teens

COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (O.T.S.O) released a new education video for use by parents, teachers, and driver education instructors to help them explain the dangers of distracted driving to teens, according to a media release.

The video is targeted toward youthful drivers in a light-hearted way and features a pair of young hosts answering the distracted driving driving questions instructors get the most

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“This new educational video uses a light touch to engage young drivers on this incredibly topic,” said DeWine. “By using young drivers to deliver this message, we hope the important safety lessons stay with Ohio’s teenagers every time they get behind the wheel.”

There have been more than 69,000 distracted driving crashes in Ohio since 2017, including over 2,000 fatal and serious crashes, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. In 40 percent of those crashes, the drivers were between the ages of 15-24.

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“Reducing crashes on Ohio roadways is one of our top priorities,” said O.T.S.O. Director Felice Moretti. “With more distractions now than ever bore, it’s important to teach our young drivers that the road demands you attention when you’re behind the wheel.”

Ohio traffic laws include several penalties for driving distracted:

• In Ohio, distracted driving is considered a primary offense for drivers under 18, which means that teens can be pulled over if a law enforcement officer sees them using their mobile device in any way.
• Drivers who are cited for distracted driving face a fine of $150, and teen drivers face an additional 60-day license suspension.
• An additional $100 fine can be levied for distracted driving if it occurs during the course of committing a moving violation. The additional fine can be waived if the offender attends a distracted driving education course.

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