COLUMBUS - State Reps. Rex Damschroder, R-Fremont, and Nancy Garland, D-Gahanna, have introduced House Bill 99, which would initiate a statewide ban on texting while driving.
The bill would make the practice of texting while driving a primary offense.
Individuals caught texting while driving would be subject to a minor misdemeanor and a $150 fine.
"I am proud to take the first step today to ban the dangerous practice of texting while driving in Ohio," Damschroder said in a release. "All you have to do is pick up the newspaper and you can read about incidents happening where motorists are killed due to other motorists engaging in this reckless activity. This bill will save lives."
In the release, Damschroder said many Ohio municipalities already have outlawed texting while driving, which has created a patchwork of areas in the state where the activity is legal and illegal.
Introduction of the bill follows Damschroder's visit to Vanguard Career and Technology Center and Technology Center to meet with Taylor Ingram, Morgan Bauer and Mariah Olvera, criminal justice students.
The students, who also attend Fremont Ross High School, spearheaded the statewide bill as part of their senior project.
