In the State of Ohio, as of April 4, the law prohibits drivers to hold a cell phone or electronic device in your hand, lap or other parts of the body while driving. Those seen violating this law can be pulled over.
According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, “drivers over 18 years old can make or receive calls via hands-free devices, including: speaker phone, earpiece, wireless headset, electronic watch, connecting phone to vehicle. In most cases, anything more than a single touch or swipe is against the law.” It does allow drivers to make or receive a call using hands-free technology, as long as the driver does not hold or support the device or manually enter data. If a driver needs to physically manipulate the device, they should pull over to a safe location before handling it. It should be noted that “drivers under the age of 18 are still restricted from using their devices in any way, including hands-free features,” according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
The prohibiting of texting or using a cell phone while driving is nothing new in North Royalton. Legislation was adopted and took effect in January, 2010 and remains in effect. According to the North Royalton ordinances, Section 434.026 “TEXTING OR TYPING ON MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES DRIVING PROHIBITED, HAND HELD WIRELESS TELEPHONE, MINORS PROHIBITED.
(a) As used in this section, “mobile communication device” includes any of the following:
(1) A wireless telephone;
(2) A text-messaging device;
(3) A personal digital assistant;
(4) A computer used for personal communications between persons;
(5) Any other substantially similar wireless device that is designed or used to communicate text or data.
(6) As used in this section “text message or text messaging” means the act of touching the key(s)/virtual keys(s) or mouse or mouse pad of the mobile communication device for the purpose of sending a message electronically or responding to a message received.
(7) Use or using means the act of talking on a cell phone, answering a cell phone or causing numbers to be entered into a cell phone so that a number may be entered and called.
(b) No person shall text message on a mobile communication device while operating a motor vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar on any street, highway, or property open to the public for vehicular traffic.
(c) No person shall use a mobile communication device for audio style communication while operating a motor vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar on any street, highway, or property open to the public for vehicular traffic, except and unless the mobile communication device is specifically designed for hands-free operation and employed in that manner.
(d) No person under eighteen years of age shall use any mobile communication device while operating a motor vehicle.
(e) Penalty. Whoever violates (b), (c) or (d) above is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(f) This section does not apply to a person using a mobile communication device for an emergency purpose, including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity.
(g) This section does not apply to an emergency service professional using a mobile communication device while operating an authorized emergency vehicle, in the course and scope of his or her duties.
(h) This section does not apply to a person who removes his vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar from the street, highway or property open to the public for vehicular traffic, and places said vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar in a parked or stationary mode.”
It should be noted that the North Royalton law prohibits the use of any cell phone or wireless device that is designed or used to communicate text or data for anyone under the age of eighteen while driving. For those over eighteen years of age, the law will now prohibit the use of a cell phone while driving, unless “the device is specifically designed for hands free operation and employed in that manner.”
The fines in North Royalton for these penalties range from up to $150 to up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail, plus court costs and possible points assessed to the driver’s license.
Penalties for the state law(in Ohio, outside of North Royalton) are as follows:
1st offense in two years: 2 points assessed to driver’s license, up to a $150 fine.
2nd offense in two years: 3 points assessed to license, up to a $250 fine.
3rd or more offense in two years: 4 points assessed to license, up to a $500 fine, possible 90-day suspension of driver license.
Fines doubled if the violation occurs in a work zone.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer