Evidence mounts to fortify distracted-driving statute

In recent years, expansive growth in the use of cellphones has dramatically altered the ways in which Americans communicate, socialize and conduct business. When used properly, they have improved our overall quality of life. When used improperly, they have the power to morph into hand-held killing machines.

Just look at recent statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It reports that each day in the United States, more than eight people are killed and 1,161 are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. Next to the general distraction of a driver’s mind wandering away from the road and its many hazards, cellphone use is cited as the leading cause of distracted driving.

One grisly sign of the deadly duo of driving and using an electronic device came this spring in a study from the Governors Highway Safety Association. That study revealed that pedestrian deaths are climbing faster than motorist fatalities, reaching nearly 6,000 deaths in 2016 – the highest total in more than two decades. Researchers involved in that study point to drivers and walkers distracted by cellphones as the single largest factor behind that spike.

As Ohio joins the nation in observing National Distracted Driving Awareness Month throughout April, it is prime time to focus attention and action on minimizing the carnage it creates. When doing so, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the Buckeye State has a long way to go toward reaching that goal.

For starters, legislation introduced last month by state Reps. Jim Hughes, R-Upper Arlington, and Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, would mildly strengthen penalties against distracted driving. A person convicted would be required to pay a $100 fine for each offense.

“The enhanced penalty for distracted driving as proposed in House Bill 95 will help provide a deterrent to this reckless and dangerous activity,” said Rep. Hughes. “Ultimately, the goal is to save lives by making our roadways safer.”

To be sure, HB 95 warrants attention and action as one small means to make distracted driving a more formidable offense on Ohio’s roads and highways. But it does not go far enough.

Ohio embarrassingly remains clustered among a small minority of about 10 states that do not legally consider distracted driving a primary offense for all motor vehicle operators. As a secondary offense for adults, that means drivers must be suspected of at least one other infraction before they can be pulled over. Hughes’ legislation does not change that, nor would those slapped with the enhanced penalty rack up any demerit points on their driving record.

A 2013 study of crashes from across the country by the American Economic Journal found that “fatal accidents are reduced by bans if they are enforced as a primary offense and cover all drivers. Bans enforced as secondary offenses … have at best no effect on accidents.”

That evidence is borne out in Ohio Highway Patrol data that show only 1,600 people out of the state’s 8 million licensed drivers have been cited for distracted driving since our weak secondary law took effect four years ago.

Of course, more stringent laws and increased penalties can only go so far toward reducing highway accidents. Heightened educational and awareness programs for drivers in training and for motorists of all ages, coupled with heavy doses of personal responsibility, can help to reverse the skyrocketing toll of distracted driving.