An Ohio Senate committee's revisions to a proposed statewide ban on texting while driving would send a clear message: Don't text and drive ... unless you think you can handle it.
The Highways and Transportation committee on Wednesday agreed to changes that would make texting while driving a secondary offense for adults. That means drivers could be ticketed for typing emails, texts, Tweets or instant messages only if they were pulled over for violating another traffic law.
The amended measure would be similar to Ohio's seat belt law; drivers could be cited only if charged with another offense, such as speeding or running a stop sign, actions that can result from driver inattention.
But there's a significant difference between failure to use a safety restraint and texting while driving. Foregoing the use of a seat belt and shoulder harness can only harm the driver, while texting while driving puts other people at risk.
The full Senate could vote on the bill today. We hope senators decide to send a stronger message than the one suggested by the revisions.
