Avon Lake Taking Cautious Approach to Texting-While-Driving Ban

Before setting any Avon Lake-specific laws making texting while driving illegal, City Council is adopting a “wait and see” approach.

A joint meeting held March 23 between council’s Safety Committee and Public Service Committee reinforced that drivers – with a focus on young drivers-- need to be educated on the dangers of texting and educating the public that the city’s distracted driver law can be enforced, especially after an accident.

Council members held off on making any motions regarding a ban at the meeting, which was attended by  Chief Dave Owad and Lt. Duane Streator.

Owad noted that a law specific to just Avon Lake could be confusing to drivers, especially if there is not signage alerting to the city’s law.

“Many time people aren’t aware they are in violation due to lack of signage,” Owad said.

The police chief said articles in USA Today New York Post noted that texting while driving bans do not decrease crashes.

“In some instances it can create a higher level,” Owad said.

The Post headlined its article, "Text ban ups crashes." 

Council members wanted to see what action is taken at a state level. House Bill 99, which supports a statewide texting-while-driving  ban, including writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives in February. It still needs to move forward to the State Senate and voted on before it becomes law. The proposed bill in its current form would make the offense a misdemeanor. 

Council president Greg Zilka noted that the bill has several exceptions, including one that allows drivers to key in telephone numbers on a cell phone while driving.

“That could be 10 numbers,” Zilka said, pointing out that can be just as distracting as texting.  “And how would a police officer know if your texting or making a call?”

Council members said while waiting to see what approach the state takes, which could take months, they would begin to consider an educational push, including having the city’s school resource officer talk to teens about the dangers involved.

The comment came after Councilman Martin O’Donnell noted a Nationwide Insurance survey said 20 percent of drivers text while driving.

Councilman David Kos, a runner, said he believes those statistics and the dangers associated with it.

“I’ve run down Lake Road and I don’t see eyeballs, I see tops of heads,” Kos said. Kos agreed that if legislation were passed, signs would be needed so motorists entering the city are aware of the law.

The committee agreed to discuss the issue further next month. O’Donnell said time was a factor.

“I think were on the clock here,” O’Donnell said.

Since the issue has now been addressed in a public meeting, O’Donnell said if the state legislation fails and someone locally is hurt as a result of texting and driving, it could raise the issue of why the city didn’t do more.