COLUMBUS, Ohio — Three years after Ohio enacted hands-free driving legislation, state data shows measurable reductions in traffic collisions, injuries, and fatalities across the state.

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The law, which went into effect in 2023, prohibits drivers from holding a cell phone in hand while operating a vehicle on any Ohio road. Under the statute, drivers must use Bluetooth or a vehicle’s integrated hands-free system to handle phone calls while driving.

According to figures from the Ohio attorney general’s office, the state has recorded 15,000 fewer crashes, 1,300 fewer injuries, and 138 fewer deaths since the law was enacted. State data also shows that overall traffic fatalities dropped by 3% from 2024 to 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline.

Law enforcement officers across the state continue to enforce the restriction, issuing more than 40,000 citations during the 2025-2026 reporting year.

David Berk, owner of Faith Driving School, said the law has helped make roadways safer for everyone by encouraging drivers to stay observant and work together on the road. Berk noted that distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents and urged drivers to focus entirely on operating their vehicles.

To avoid distractions behind the wheel, Berk advised motorists to put their phones away or safely pull over to the side of the road if they need to respond to an urgent call.

Source: NBC4 Columbus — Original report

Wararka Af-Soomaaliga

Ohio: Sharciga Hands-Free-ka Oo Hoos U Dhigay Shilalka Iyo Dhimashada

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Saddex sano ka dib markii gobolka Ohio uu dhaqangaliyay sharciga xaddidaya mashquulka wadayaasha gaadiidka, xogta rasmiga ah ee gobolka ayaa muujinaysa hoos u dhac muuqda oo ku yimid shilalka gaadiidka, dhaawacyada iyo dhimashada waddooyinka.

Sharcigan oo dhaqangalay sannadkii 2023, ayaa si adag u mamnuucaya in dadka wada gaadiidka ay gacanta ku hataan taleefanka inta ay ku jiraan waddooyinka gobolka Ohio. Sharcigu wuxuu maamulayaa in wadayaashu ay isticmaalaan tiknoolajiyadda Bluetooth-ka ama hababka gacmaha ka xor ah (hands-free system) ee gaariga marka ay kaallada taleefanka samaynayaan ama ka jawaabayaan.

Sida ku xusan xogta ka soo baxday xafiiska xeer-soogaliyaha guud ee Ohio (Ohio attorney general’s office), tan iyo markii sharcigan la meelmariyay waxaa gobolka ka baaqday ama hoos u dhacay 15,000 oo shil, 1,300 oo dhaawac ah, iyo 138 dhimasho ah. Sidoo kale, xogta gobolka ayaa muujinaysa in dhimashada shilalka waddooyinka ay hoos u dhacday 3% inta ka dhaxeysay sannadihii 2024 ilaa 2025, taas oo ka dhigan sannadkii afaraad oo isku xiga oo ay dhimashadu hoos u dhacdo.

Saraakiisha ilaalinta sharciga ee gobolka ayaa sii wadaya hantaataqaansada sharcigan, iyagoo soo saaray ka badan 40,000 oo ganaax ama yeeritaanno maxkamadeed (citations) ah intii lagu jiray sannad-warbixineedka 2025-2026.

David Berk, oo ah milkiilaha dugsiga wadista gaadiidka ee Faith Driving School, ayaa sheegay in sharcigan uu gacan ka geystay in waddooyinku ay ka ammaan badnaadaan sidii hore. Berk wuxuu xusay in mashquulka wadista uu yahay mid ka mid ah sababaha ugu waaweyn ee keena shilalka, wuxuuna ku baaqay in wadayaashu ay feejignaan muujiyaan oo ay miyir ku wadaagaan waddada.

Si looga fogaado mashquulka xilliga gaariga la wado, Berk wuxuu kula taliyay wadayaasha in ay taleefannada dheraadaan ama ay gaariga dhinac u dhigaan waddada iyagoo nabadgelyo ah haddii ay fariin ama kaallo degdeg ah ka bixinayaan ama ka jawaabayaan.

Xigasho: NBC4 Columbus