There’s a new traffic law in Ohio that all drivers must be aware about. In the last few years, many states of the U.S. have started to apply stricter traffic laws to improve road safety and reduce accidents caused by drivers who don’t respect the rules. One of these states is Ohio, where is currently considering a new law that could change what happens during traffic stops. So, let’s find out more about this Ohio traffic law.
Stricter Ohio traffic laws
Authorities explain that one of the main issues on the road is that not every driver is responsible. Even though some dangerous actions, like driving under the effects of alcohol, are taken seriously by most people, others keep happening very frequently. Among the most common actions that concern authorities are:
- Driving with distractions.
- Using the phone while driving.
- Exceed speed limits.
Many people believe that using the phone ‘’just a second’’ is not dangerous, but that moment can cause serious accidents. For this reason, some states are looking for stricter ways to make drivers follow the laws.
Mobile phones and exceed speed limit
One of the biggest challenges for police officers is the use of mobile phones while people are driving. Despite being an illegal practice in many places, it’s very common to see this. Some drivers use their mobile phones to answer messages, calls, or emails, even when the vehicle is moving.
Authorities remind us that not focusing on the road, even if we look at another place for a second, can have serious consequences. The same happens with speed excess, which is another issue that’s not taken as seriously as it should be by many drivers.
The proposed law in Ohio
In this context, lawmakers in Ohio are considering a new proposal called House Bill 492, which focuses on what happens during traffic stops. If this law is approved, refusing to identify yourself during a traffic stop would become a more serious offense. Currently, this behavior does not always have serious consequences, but the new law would change that because: refusing to say who you are during a traffic stop would be considered a fourth-degree misdemeanor, and it could result in up to 30 days in jail.
The goal is to give more authority to police officers when drivers don’t cooperate.
Importance of identifying yourself
Supporters of the new law explain that when someone refuses to identify themselves, the police face a difficult situation. Not knowing who the driver is can generate many important doubts, maybe the driver is hiding something or could represent a bigger risk.
A lawmaker of Ohio stated that not cooperating with the police shouldn’t be seen as something with no relevance, since it can put both police officers and other people at risk.
It is important to clarify that this law has not passed yet, but it’s still being studied by lawmakers.
Just punishments?
Do stricter laws are the ultimate solution on their own? Apart from punishing bad behavior, authorities consider important:
- To keep the road in good conditions.
- To have clear and visible signs.
- To educate drivers about the real risks of their actions.
In several states they are trying programs that aim to change many drivers’ way of thinking, not just punishing them. The idea is to create a safer environment in the long term.
So…
If you are from Ohio, this new proposal is something worth knowing. This way you can avoid legal issues, but also contribute to having safer roads for everybody. Do you believe this type of traffic law could be a positive change for road safety?