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Associated Press

Ohio has become the 39th state to prohibit texting while driving.

Gov. John Kasich signed a ban Friday on writing, reading and sending texts from behind the wheel. It goes into effect in 90 days.

The measure includes a stricter crackdown on teen drivers’ use of electronic devices. Minors would be banned from using cellphones, iPads or other electronics while driving.

Texting would be a secondary offense for adult drivers. They could be ticketed for typing messages only if they were first pulled over for another offense, such as running a red light.

Teens could more easily be pulled over for violating the texting ban.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, the measure would be among the broadest in the country in terms of teen distracted driving restrictions.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Governor John Kasich, House Bill 99, House Bill 99 Texting ban, John Kasich, Ohio House Bill 99, Ohio Text ban, Ohio Texting ban, Texting, Texting ban

Paul E. Kostyu reports

f you drive in Ohio, get ready to put away your cell phones, iPads and other electronic devices, especially if you’re a teenager. There will be no texting on the state’s roads and highways when a text ban is signed by Gov. John R. Kasich.

But enforcing a ban is almost impossible for law enforcement agencies and similar local bans already in place haven’t been effective. Adults will still be able talk on the phone and the text ban allows a number of exceptions for using hand-held devices, even for teens.

The passage of the legislation comes in the shadow of the death of a Colerain High School student and her exchange student passenger on May 3. She may have been texting just before she ran a stop sign in rural Milford Township and slammed into a tractor trailer.

The Ohio House approved on a 82-12 vote Tuesday the Senate’s changes to House Bill 99, sending the legislation to the governor. Rob Nichols, a spokesman for Kasich, said the governor will sign the measure. (more…)

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Governor John Kasich, House Bill 99, House Bill 99 Texting ban, John Kasich, Ohio House Bill 99, Ohio Text ban, Ohio Texting ban, Texting, Texting ban