Rep. Lightbody encouraged by Senate, Governor's move to limit distracted driving

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) today responded to Governor Mike DeWine’s announcement that he was introducing legislation to increase safety on Ohio roadways by limiting distracted driving. Rep. Lightbody had introduced a bill to tackle this very issue, HB 468, last month and the bill has already received its first hearing. Lightbody’s bill would make it a primary offense to use handheld electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.

“I am encouraged to see Governor DeWine and my Senate colleagues raising awareness to this very important issue. I introduced HB 468 last month at the request of my constituent who had lost her husband to a distracted driver. Like many others, I believe this is a problem Ohio needs to solve.

I offer my sincerest sympathies to the families who spoke today and to all other Ohio families whose lives have been shattered because of a distracted driving accident. 

I look forward to working with the Governor and our House and Senate colleagues to get this issue addressed.”

House bill 468 has been assigned to the House Committee on Transportation & Public Safety and received its first hearing on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.