April is distracted driving awareness month. Since 2017, there have been over 70,000 distracted driving crashes, 39% of which have been with drivers between the ages of 15 and 24. On top of that, law enforcement has written nearly 40,000 tickets for distracted driving violations. According to Ohio law, no individual can use an electronic device to write, send, or read a text while driving. In January of this year, Governor DeWine signed Senate Bill 288 to strengthen the existing laws related to texting while driving. The law went into effect this month. The new law makes texting while driving a primary offense, meaning an officer can stop a vehicle for the sole purpose of presenting a citation without needing evidence of another offense. Before, adult drivers could be cited for distracted driving only after committing a separate primary offense. The new law gives police the right to pull someone over upon seeing a violation (like texting or scrolling) or just for holding a cellphone. Penalties include a fine of up to $150 for a driver’s first offense and two points on their license unless a distracted driving safety course is completed. Increased penalties can occur if the driver is a repeat offender. What Are We Watching? OHIO’S NEW TEXTING AND DRIVING LAW
Crisps are old-fashioned comfort food. Hillary has been making this recipe every spring when rhubarb is in season. Warning: It is so delicious that it is hard to stop eating. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Apple-Rhubarb Crisp
INGREDIENTS
For the Topping: • 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar • 3 tbsp sugar • 1/4 cup finely chopped toasted almonds or walnuts • 1/2 tsp cinnamon • 1 stick butter, slightly softened and cut into small pieces
For the Filling: • 2 lbs crisp baking apples • 1 1/2 lbs rhubarb • 1–1 1/2 cups sugar • 4 tbsp flour • 1 tsp cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
To Make the Topping: 1. In a bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, sugar, nuts, and cinnamon. 2. Work in the butter until the mixture resembles dry oats. The mixture should just hold together and look crumbly. To Make the Filling: 3. Heat the oven to 350°F. Peel, core, and quarter the apples. Cut each quarter into 4 chunks. You should have about 5 cups. 4. Trim the rhubarb and cut it into 1-by-1/2-inch pieces; you should have about 5 cups of rhubarb. 5. In a large bowl, toss the apples and rhubarb with the sugar, flour, and cinnamon until well coated. Transfer the apple and rhubarb mixture to a 2-qt baking dish and sprinkle the topping evenly over the top. 6. Bake until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling, 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 min. Cool slightly before serving.
However, for the law’s first six months, offenders will get off with warnings to give people time to know about the change in the law.
Under the new law, a driver may still use their device in certain circumstances, such as when their vehicle is parked or stopped at a red light. Drivers are also allowed to swipe their phones to answer a call and to hold their phones to their ears during phone conversations. Emergency calls are also granted in all circumstances.
In our office, we see the devastating effects of crashes caused by distracted driving. Hopefully, the new law will save lives and prevent injuries.
3 Rinehardt Law | BeSmartLegal.com
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