As of Aug. 30, Ohio drivers who chose to text while driving can be fined. While proponents of the law banning texting and driving agree drivers who text present an increased danger in causing or being involved in motor vehicle accidents, city officials in one Ohio city want to take additional measures.

City officials in Bowling Green are deciding on whether to pass a bill that would allow police officers to pull drivers over for a variety of actions deemed to be encompassed under the term distracted driving. While few would argue that actions such as reading, putting on makeup or shaving are all activities in which the driver of a motor vehicle should not engage, police officers have no legal grounds to stop drivers engaging in these types of behavior.

A new bill being proposed in Bowling Green, however, includes language that would allow police officers to pull over drivers they witness engaging in distracted driving practices. The new Ohio law that goes into effect at the end of August treats texting-while-driving as a secondary offense. This means a police officer cannot pull a driver over for just texting, but would need to pull them over for another driving offense first.

Proponents of the proposed bill in Bowling Green, contend the designation of texting-while-driving as a secondary offense virtually makes the law unenforceable. They believe broadening the actions that provide legal cause for a police officer to pull over a distracted driver will do far more to curb distracted driving behaviors.

Opponents of the proposal argue its language and provisions are too vague and additional guidelines need to be established. The bill is yet to be scheduled to go before the city council.

Source: Fox News, "Ohio city's distracted driving law could restrict eating, drinking behind the wheel," Gary Gastelu, July 25, 2012