Distracted driving in Ohio can be deadly and accounts for too many car accidents, serious injuries, and deaths every year. We’ve put together some important details about distracted driving accidents in Ohio, and if you’ve been hurt, you could recover for your losses.
Distracted Driving Car Accidents
In 2020, 3,142 lives were lost due to distracted driving nationwide. In Ohio, distracted driving caused 10,266 crashes in 2022. Of those 10,266 accidents, there were 7 fatal crashes and 45 that caused serious injury.
Ohio lawmakers have recently passed legislation to crack down on distracted driving and hopefully save lives.
Ohio Distracted Driving Laws
Senate Bill 288 now makes the use of cell phones and other electronic communications devices a primary traffic offense. If police see someone using their phone and driving, they can immediately pull the driver over. Individuals could face fines up to $150 and 2 points on their driving record for a first offense.
Distracted driving in Ohio includes any activity not necessary to vehicle operation that impairs the driver’s ability to drive safely. This includes eating, handing things to passengers, caring for children in the back seat, changing the radio, or using a cell phone.
Distracted Driving Facts and Statistics
- 90% of people are concerned about distracted driving, according to a AAA survey, but 39% admit doing it.
- On average sending or reading a text takes the driver’s eyes from the road for five seconds, which if driving 55 mph, is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed, NTHSA reported.
- A University of Utah study found that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.08%. The same study said cell phone users are 5.36 times more likely to get into an accident than undistracted drivers.
- Text messaging increases the risk of crash or near-crash by 23 times, according to the Virginia Technical Transportation Institute.
Hurt by Distracted Driving? Call Us Today
Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA, has helped residents of Sandusky, Port Clinton, Mansfield, and Vermilion received compensation for the damages from vehicle accidents for decades. With distracted driving increasing, there’s a chance you could become part of these statistics. If that happens, you need experienced car accident attorneys to fight for your legal rights while you recover.
Consultations are free. Call (419) 625-7770 for a free, no-risk consultation.