Although there is no federal (nationwide) law that prohibits texting or using a wireless phone while driving, many states have passed laws that prohibit such activities—and some municipalities (cities, towns) have also passed ordinances that restrict texting, talking, or emailing while driving. For example:

• 25 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam have banned drivers from hand-held phone use while driving.

• 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam have banned texting while driving for all drivers.

• 37 states and the District of Columbia prohibit all cell phone use by novice drivers.

• 23 states and the District of Columbia prohibit school bus drivers from cell phone use while driving.

For more information on state laws, visit the Governor Highway Safety Association page by copying this link and pasting it into your internet browser: https://www.ghsa.org/state-laws/issues/distracted%20driving

In Ohio, texting while driving is banned for all drivers, which is in line with the majority of states. This ban is a primary law for drivers under 18, meaning that young drivers can be stopped and cited for texting alone. However, for drivers 18 and over, it's a secondary law, which means they can only be cited for texting if they were first stopped for another traffic violation. Ohio does not have a statewide ban on the use of hand-held phones while driving for all drivers, but hand-held phone use is banned for drivers under 18. It's important to note that some municipalities within Ohio may have their own ordinances that provide stricter regulations on mobile phone use while driving. Additionally, school bus drivers in Ohio are prohibited from texting or using a cell phone while driving. As regulations can change, it's advisable to check the latest laws for the most current information.