Cincinnati City Council Passes Texting Ban
Ban On Texting While Driving Goes Into Effect Next Month
Updated: 5:51 AM EDT Sep 9, 2010
Cincinnati has joined other communities and states in passing a law that bans texting while driving.Cincinnati's City Council passed the ban with little debate by a 8-1 vote on Thursday, with Chris Monzel the only no vote. The Public Safety Committee had unanimously approved the ban Wednesday.The law prohibits texting or Internet use while driving. It will be a primary offense, meaning police could pull drivers over just for a texting violation.The fine will be $100 when the law takes effect next month."It's really about helping to change behavior," said council member Chris Bortz. "When you're behind the wheel and you're distracted that long, bad things can happen."In defending his no vote, Monzel questioned how police will enforce the law. "How are police to know if you're dialing someone or texting someone on your phone?" he asked.The state of Kentucky recently instituted a similar ban, issuing warnings until Jan. 2, 2011, after which the ticket is $25. Police there said enforcement of the new law has been difficult."It's a law that's hard for the officers even to get a citation," said Capt. Tony Lucas with the Independence Police Department. "When the officer is passing someone, seeing them do something on their phone, they don't know if they're texting or punching in a phone number to call somebody."Indiana also has a ban on texting or using the phone while driving, but only for drivers under 18.
Cincinnati has joined other communities and states in passing a law that bans texting while driving.
Cincinnati's City Council passed the ban with little debate by a 8-1 vote on Thursday, with Chris Monzel the only no vote. The Public Safety Committee had unanimously approved the ban Wednesday.
The law prohibits texting or Internet use while driving. It will be a primary offense, meaning police could pull drivers over just for a texting violation.
The fine will be $100 when the law takes effect next month.
"It's really about helping to change behavior," said council member Chris Bortz. "When you're behind the wheel and you're distracted that long, bad things can happen."
In defending his no vote, Monzel questioned how police will enforce the law. "How are police to know if you're dialing someone or texting someone on your phone?" he asked.
The state of Kentucky recently instituted a similar ban, issuing warnings until Jan. 2, 2011, after which the ticket is $25. Police there said enforcement of the new law has been difficult.
"It's a law that's hard for the officers even to get a citation," said Capt. Tony Lucas with the Independence Police Department. "When the officer is passing someone, seeing them do something on their phone, they don't know if they're texting or punching in a phone number to call somebody."
Indiana also has a ban on texting or using the phone while driving, but only for drivers under 18.