COLUMBUS — A new study shows Ohio drivers are less distracted behind the wheel than drivers nationwide, a trend officials say is helping reduce traffic deaths.
The analysis from Cambridge Mobile Telematics found Ohio drivers tapped on their phones 7.2% less than the national average in 2025. U.S. drivers averaged 23.6 phone taps per 100 miles, compared to 21.9 taps per 100 miles for Ohio drivers.
The study also found Ohio’s rate of handheld phone calls while driving was about 5% lower than the national average. Ohio drivers spent 0.78% of driving time on handheld calls, compared to 0.82% nationwide.
State officials attribute the improvement in part to Ohio’s distracted driving law, signed in 2023, which makes it illegal in most cases to use or hold a phone or electronic device while driving. Hands-free features such as voice commands and dashboard mounts remain legal.
Preliminary data shows traffic deaths in Ohio fell 3% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline. Reduced distracted driving is believed to be a significant factor.
County-level data shows 10 Ohio counties exceeded the national average for both phone tapping and handheld calls, including Butler, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, and Montgomery counties. Drivers in Harrison, Meigs, and Hocking counties spent the least time on handheld calls.
The study analyzed more than 189 million trips across Ohio using anonymized data from safe-driving programs that track behaviors such as phone use, speeding, and hard braking.
Under Ohio law, a first distracted-driving offense can result in two license points and a fine of up to $150, with higher penalties for repeat offenses and doubled fines in work zones.
