Westerville Passes Distracted Driving Legislation

Westerville City Council has approved legislation that makes it illegal to text while driving. The new ordinance describes this as use of an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication or otherwise interact with text-based internet content.

Westerville joins many other communities in Central Ohio and around the nation in an effort to address this major public safety issue by enacting what is commonly known as a “texting and driving” ban.

As texting has increased in popularity and utilization, increases in traffic accidents and incidents have been directly correlated. Texting while driving is characterized as distracted driving, which is typically defined as driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. These activities – texting, talking on the phone, and eating –dramatically increase the risk of a motor vehicle crash.

According to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of adults ages 18-29 admit they text or e-mail while driving, having reported doing it at least once in the last 30 days. More than a quarter say they do it “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving.

The results are often tragic, resulting in more than damage to vehicles in some traffic crashes. The CDC also reports that more than 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 people are injured each day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.

Experts say this type of driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. The Westerville Division of Police has posted information on social media accounts reminding drivers that talking on the phone while driving is like driving with a .08 blood alcohol content, and texting while driving is twice that. Studies consistently show that most people are unable to multitask while driving.

“The bottom line is just choose your safety and that of other drivers, and don’t attempt it,” said Westerville Police Chief Joseph Morbitzer. “Texting while driving is extremely dangerous, and if that’s not enough of a deterrent, then know we’re going to cite drivers now.”

The Police Division will continue to build awareness on the dangers of distracted driving and potential penalties. Meanwhile, the state of Ohio continues discussions on legislation that would enforce a texting while driving ban statewide. While the state House of Representative has introduced a bill, it is currently being discussed in the Senate. To view the Ordinance online, visit www.westerville.org.