Ohio Forms Distracted Driving Council

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced the formation of the Distracted Driving Advisory Council whose mission is to change the distracted driving culture across the state and help reduce crashes.

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

April 30, 2019

Ohio Forms Distracted Driving Council — Ohio's elected leaders have formed a distracted driving council to increase roadway safety.
Photo via Dailynetworks/Wikimedia.

1 min to read

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced the formation of the Distracted Driving Advisory Council whose mission is to change the distracted driving culture across the state and help reduce crashes, reports the Associated Press.

The council's creation comes on the heels of a report by the Ohio Distracted Driving Task Force, which recommended changes in state policy and state law to help lower collisions in Ohio. The report also recommended enhanced distracted driving education for young drivers, reports the AP.

Between 2013 and 2018, there were nearly 80,000 crashes that involved distracted driving in the state, according to Ohio Department of Transportation data. Distracted driving collisions were responsible for some 268 fatalities and approximately 3,000 injuries in Ohio.

Distracted driving remains one of the nation's most pressing roadway problems., claiming over 3,100 lives in 2017 alone, notes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Topics:Distracted Driving Ohio Elected Leaders Safety

More Safety

Chris Brown sits across from safety experft at Lifesaver mobile in an interview about distracted driving and phone use tech.

Safety•by Chris Brown•May 1, 2026

Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel

Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.

Safety•by Jeanny Roa•April 15, 2026

Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2

As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.

Safety•by Jeanny Roa•April 11, 2026

Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash

What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.

Driver holding a phone while steering, illustrating distracted driving and the importance of mental awareness and attention on the road for fleet safety.

Safety•by Judie Nuskey•April 10, 2026

From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers

Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.

Safety•by Staff•April 8, 2026

Lytx 2026 Road Safety Report

While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.

Driver’s hands on steering wheel in a sunlit vehicle, representing real-world driver behavior and the shift from data monitoring to hands-on training in fleet safety programs.

Safety•by Judie Nuskey•April 7, 2026

Behind-the-Wheel vs. Classroom Training: What Actually Changes Driver Behavior?

Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.

A person in a car on their phone behind the steering wheel.

Safety•by Jeanny Roa•April 1, 2026

Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 1

A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.

Pedestrians crossing a busy street, highlighting the importance of driver awareness and caution to prevent pedestrian accidents.

Safety•by Staff•March 30, 2026

Automotive Fleet Magazine