In every state, there are regulations to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users. The Ohio state regulations are no different. Among the strict laws in the state are rules for not texting while driving, wearing a seatbelt, and using a car seat.
Section 4511 of the Ohio Revised Code contains the state’s general traffic legislation. Violations of this clause are one of the most common causes of car accidents.
If someone broke a traffic regulation and got you injured in Ohio, you or a family member may be entitled to compensation. To learn your rights, seek legal advice from a qualified attorney.
Ohio Has Graduated Licensing
In Ohio, a teen can acquire an intermediate driver’s license at 16 if they complete the requirements. They can do the following with an intermediate permit:
- Drive alone or with family members from 6 am to midnight.
- Have one non-family passenger
Upon gaining one year of driving experience and turning 17, a motorist may carry more than one unrelated passenger. At age 18, nighttime restrictions are eliminated for drivers with two years of experience.
Ohio Does Not Have a Hands-Free Law
Despite not having a blanket ban on hands-free driving, Ohio prohibits texting while driving, with a few exceptions.
Handheld cell phones are forbidden to drivers under the age of 18 and those with a learner’s permit. As a result of this primary legislation, cops may pull over drivers who are seen carrying phones.
Use of Seatbelts and Secondary Enforcement
Almost every state has a seatbelt law that requires car occupants to buckle up. Among the 49 states with such a law, Ohio has the only one that applies only to drivers and front-seat passengers and is enforced by secondary enforcement.
A seatbelt is required only in the front seat of a passenger vehicle, and police cannot halt a car because the only blatant infraction is not wearing a belt.
Using a booster seat or car seat for young children
Young children are exempt from Ohio’s seatbelt law. Different laws, on the other hand, require parents to take the following precautions to protect their children in the event of an accident:
- The child must be less than three years old or under 40 pounds and must ride in a certified child safety seat.
- Using a booster seat between the ages of 4 and 7, or when weighing more than 40 pounds but less than 57 inches, or 4 feet, 9 inches tall.
