Chillicothe police have issued around half a dozen citations over the past week as part of the enforcement of a new law targeting texting while driving. The crackdown comes after Ohio made driving while texting a primary offense, meaning officers can stop drivers solely for that violation.
On July 3, 2024, several drivers were cited under this new law:
- Incident PD-P2403527: At 4:24 p.m., an officer observed a woman driving a white Subaru (OH/HGP9803) southbound on N Bridge Street while holding her cellphone with her right hand. She admitted to texting her mother and was cited and released with a court date set for July 12, 2024, at 9 a.m.
- Incident PD-P2403528: At 4:46 p.m., another officer saw a man driving a red sedan southbound on Bridge Street, holding his cellphone near the steering wheel. The driver, identified as Dylan, was cited for texting while driving and given a court date of July 15, 2024, at 9 a.m.
- Incident PD-P2403530: At 5:13 p.m., an officer spotted a man driving a silver sedan southbound on Bridge Street, using both hands to hold his cellphone near the steering wheel. The driver, Richard, was issued a citation for texting while driving and also has a court date set for July 15, 2024, at 9 a.m.
Under Ohio law, using, holding, or physically supporting an electronic wireless communications device while operating a vehicle is prohibited, with several exemptions. These include using the device for emergency purposes, when the vehicle is stationary and outside a lane of travel, or for navigation purposes without manual entry of data. Violations can result in fines up to $150 and possible suspension of the driver’s license.
The recent citations serve as a reminder of the dangers and legal consequences of distracted driving. As Chillicothe police continue their enforcement efforts, drivers are urged to stay focused on the road and avoid using their phones while driving.
