Three Injured In Ohio Crash Believed to Be Due To Distracted Driving
A recent Ohio crash at the crossroads of Ohio 4 and Ohio 2 has brought to light the importance of avoiding driver distractions while on the road. Three people were injured in the crash and were hospitalized, although no injuries were life-threatening
The Ohio car accident occured when a young man from Maumee Ohio was driving south on Ohio 4 crossing over Ohio 2 when he apparently ran a red light and hit the side of a 2008 Chrysler 300 driven by Port Clinton resident. The Maumee driver cites a distraction as the cause for the accident. According to the young man, an object fell in his vehicle, which caused him to drive through the red light. Both drivers sustained non life-threatening injuries and were hospitalized. Police say alcohol was not a factor, but there is no information on what the object was that distracted McClellan. (Norwalk Reflector, September, 2013)
https://www.norwalkreflector.com/article/3596206)
Ohio Distracted Driving Statistics
Unfortunately, far to many Ohio crashes occur due to distracted driving. Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for crashes in Ohio. Between 2009 and 2011, the Ohio State Patrol reported over 30,000 crashes due to distracted driving. Of those crashes, there were 74 fatalities. According to the DMV, drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 are at the highest risk of crashes due to distracted driving. The leading cause of death in this age group is vehicle crashes.
Distraction.gov sites the following practices as the most distractible while driving: (Distraction.gov, October, 2013
https://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/facts-and-statistics.html)
- Texting
- Using a phone
- Eating or drinking
- Talking with other passengers
- Using navigation systems
- Grooming
- Adjusting a music player or radio
- Reading maps
- Watching a video
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting is one of the most dangerous distractions because it involves all three distraction methods: Cognitive, manual, and visual. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , October, 2013) https://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety/Distracted+Driving/Policy+Statement+and+Compiled+FAQs+on+Distracted+Driving
Ohio Distracted Driving Laws
Ohio has clearly defined distracted driving laws for all drivers. Any driver over the age of 18 is banned from texting while driving. However, according to the law, a police officer can only pull over a driver and cite them for texting while driving if the police office has another reason for pulling the driver over (such as for speeding, or expired registration plates). (Hands Free Info, September, 2013 https://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html)
All drivers under the age of 18 are banned from using nay portable electronic devices in the car (even GPS systems count).
Some cities and counties have adopted even stronger texting laws. Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo all have banned any kind of text messaging while driving. Pepper Pike allows police to pull over any driver for texting alone, rather than waiting for an additional reason to pull over the vehicle. City Lyndhust has banned all handheld cell phone use for all drivers and made texting a primary offense. Moreland has upgraded the texting law from a secondary to a primary offense.
Ohio Distracted Driving Statistics
Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for crashes in Ohio. Between 2009 and 2011, the Ohio State Patrol reported over 30,000 crashes due to distracted driving. Of those crashes, there were 74 fatalities. (Ohio State Patrol, January, 2012 https://statepatrol.ohio.gov/doc/Distracted_Driving_Bulletin_2012.pdf) According to the DMV, drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 are at the highest risk of crashes due to distracted driving. The leading cause of death in this age group is vehicle crashes. (California Department of Motor Vehicles, October, 2013 https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl28.htm)
Website Distraction.gov sites the following practices as the most distractible while driving: (Distraction.gov, October, 2013
https://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/facts-and-statistics.html)
- Texting
- Using a phone
- Eating or drinking
- Talking with other passengers
- Using navigation systems
- Grooming
- Adjusting a music player or radio
- Reading maps
- Watching a video
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting is one of the most dangerous distractions because it involves all three distraction methods: Cognitive, manual, and visual. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , October, 2013) https://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety/Distracted+Driving/Policy+Statement+and+Compiled+FAQs+on+Distracted+Driving