4.6.10
Columbus passes texting-while-driving ban
columbus.bizjournals.com
A crackdown on texting while driving is a month away from taking effect following the passage of a city-wide ban at Columbus City Council’s Monday meeting.

Council passed legislation that prohibits using mobile devices to compose, send, receive or read text messages while driving. Under the new law, set to take effect May 5, texting while driving will be a primary offense that will result in a minor misdemeanor charge, punishable by a fine of up to $150.

City councilman Andrew Ginther, who drafted the legislation, has called the practice a habit that “puts the driver, their passengers, other motorists and pedestrians in danger.”

Similar texting bans are in place in Cleveland, Toledo, Bexley and on the books in 19 other states. The state General Assembly has legislation in the pipeline but council said it’s moving forward on a municipal level absent a timeline on when a statewide ban could take place

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