Group wants stricter phone rules for Ohio drivers

The Governors Highway Safety Association says Ohio's new texting ban doesn't do enough.

The Associated Press

9/17/2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A national group representing safety officials from all states wants Ohio to take a step beyond its new ban on texting while driving and prohibit drivers from using all hand-held electronic devices.

The new rules make texting behind the wheel a secondary offense for adults. It's a primary offense for those 18 and under, so they can be more easily ticketed.

The Columbus Dispatch (http://bit.ly/PrwY6D ) reports the Washington, D.C.-based Governors Highway Safety Association says Ohio's new ban doesn't do enough. But a spokesman for Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) says a cellphone ban for drivers isn't among the Republican's priorities.

Ohio was the 39th state to ban texting while driving. Nine states ban drivers from using hand-held devices, and a similar ban takes effect next year in West Virginia.

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