3.5.10
Drivers face text ban

Councilman says he’ll introduce legislation making it a violation
By: Robert Vitale - www.Dispatch.com
Columbus might join the growing list of governments that have banned texting while driving, an activity blamed for a rising number of crashes tied to behind-the-wheel distractions.

"Texting while driving is especially dangerous," City Councilman Andrew J. Ginther said yesterday. "You're putting yourself, your passengers, other drivers, their passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians at risk."

Ginther, who will host a council hearing on the issue at 5 p.m. Tuesday, said he plans to introduce legislation to ban the practice in the next two months. It could become law as early as mid-May if his fellow council members approve.

Columbus would join Cleveland, Toledo, Akron and Bexley among Ohio cities that ban people from reading or typing cell-phone text messages while they're driving. Ohio lawmakers have had hearings but no vote yet on a proposed statewide ban.

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia ban all drivers from texting. Nine more ban texting only for young drivers.

The ban in Columbus would cover reading, writing and sending texts, and it also would ban drivers from using any mobile device to read or post Internet content or to play online games.

It would not cover passengers in a car. Drivers could read and send messages if they were stopped out of the flow of traffic. They could not check texts at a red light or stop sign.

Police could ticket anyone they see texting while driving, even if they are committing no other traffic offense. The law would carry a $150 fine.

"It's just as bad as drunken driving," said Columbus Police Sgt. Jim Gilbert, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9.

He said the police union wants to study Ginther's proposal but recognizes the increasing danger posed by drivers who send text messages.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 80 percent of all crashes involve distracted drivers. Nearly 6,000 people died and more than 500,000 were injured in 2008 crashes involving drivers who weren't paying attention.

While just 13 percent of drivers admitted to texting while driving in a February survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Ginther said it's among the most dangerous of distractions.

Younger drivers are most likely to text while driving. Forty-three percent between 18 and 24 years old said they have texted from behind the wheel.

Ric Oxender, a lobbyist for Ohio's AAA chapters, said he thinks that bans reduce texting among motorists. The insurance institute survey found a slightly lower rate in states with bans.

Bexley's ban took effect in October, but police there have yet to ticket any violators.

"I'm not surprised," said detective Sgt. Tony Martin. "It would be difficult to enforce. You'd have to have a major accident maybe or an officer sitting alongside watching."

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