olumbus -- The Ohio House is considering increased driver's education requirements and higher penalties for distracted driving.
The proposed law changes and others are included in the biennial transportation budget as part of an effort backers are calling "Drive Toward A Safer Ohio."
Among other provisions, the legislation would increase to 10 hours from eight the number of "actual behind-the-wheel instruction conducted on public roads" required before anyone 18 or younger can received their licenses. Anyone seeking their first driver's license would have to complete approved driver's education programs.
Additionally, the bill would place more restrictions on driving by holders of probationary licenses and require increased standards for drivers ed instructors and coursework.
"Today, kids go to professional, for-profit driving schools to get prepared to take their test," Dom Tiberi, a central Ohio TV sports anchor whose daughter was killed in an automobile accident, told members of the House Finance Committee Feb. 17. "All those driving schools are not created equal. That's why I'm glad to see that, with the Drive Toward A Safer Ohio proposal, the state would work to make sure that all driving schools and instructors live up to a strict set of standards, standards that would improve the quality of education our young drivers would receive. And adding simulated driving tests to license requirements would give our young drivers much more driving experience before they take to the road for real."
The legislation also would create a new offense, "distracted driving," with penalties for those who use electronic communications devices or engage "in any activity that is not necessary to the driving of a motor vehicle and impairs, or reasonably would be expected to impair, the ability of the person to drive the motor vehicle safely."
The citation could only be issued if offenders commit other moving violations, though.
"Distracted driving is an epidemic in our country," Tiberi said. "There are so many things that take our hands off the wheel, our eyes off the road, and our minds off our driving."
Also testifying Fegb. 17 was John Cooper, former Ohio State University football coach.
"... I am amazed at what other drivers are doing," he said. "I cannot tell you how many drivers I have seen eating meals, applying makeup, talking on the phone and swerving in and out of their proper travel lanes."
Marc Kovac is the Dix Capital Bureau Chief. Email him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.
The proposed law changes and others are included in the biennial transportation budget as part of an effort backers are calling "Drive Toward A Safer Ohio."
Among other provisions, the legislation would increase to 10 hours from eight the number of "actual behind-the-wheel instruction conducted on public roads" required before anyone 18 or younger can received their licenses. Anyone seeking their first driver's license would have to complete approved driver's education programs.
Additionally, the bill would place more restrictions on driving by holders of probationary licenses and require increased standards for drivers ed instructors and coursework.
"Today, kids go to professional, for-profit driving schools to get prepared to take their test," Dom Tiberi, a central Ohio TV sports anchor whose daughter was killed in an automobile accident, told members of the House Finance Committee Feb. 17. "All those driving schools are not created equal. That's why I'm glad to see that, with the Drive Toward A Safer Ohio proposal, the state would work to make sure that all driving schools and instructors live up to a strict set of standards, standards that would improve the quality of education our young drivers would receive. And adding simulated driving tests to license requirements would give our young drivers much more driving experience before they take to the road for real."
The legislation also would create a new offense, "distracted driving," with penalties for those who use electronic communications devices or engage "in any activity that is not necessary to the driving of a motor vehicle and impairs, or reasonably would be expected to impair, the ability of the person to drive the motor vehicle safely."
The citation could only be issued if offenders commit other moving violations, though.
"Distracted driving is an epidemic in our country," Tiberi said. "There are so many things that take our hands off the wheel, our eyes off the road, and our minds off our driving."
Also testifying Fegb. 17 was John Cooper, former Ohio State University football coach.
"... I am amazed at what other drivers are doing," he said. "I cannot tell you how many drivers I have seen eating meals, applying makeup, talking on the phone and swerving in and out of their proper travel lanes."
Marc Kovac is the Dix Capital Bureau Chief. Email him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.
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