Ohioans are less distracted than the average US driver

Ohioans are less distracted on the road than the average American driver, according to a new study shared by the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Ohio drivers tapped their cell phones 7.2% less than the average U.S. driver in 2025, averaging 21.9 wiretaps per 100 miles of travel compared to the national average of 23.6 wiretaps, according to a statewide analysis from Cambridge Mobile Telematics released Jan. 22.

Additionally, cell phone call rates in Ohio were 5 percent lower than the national average. Cell phone calls while driving are legal in Ohio.

ODOT presented the study results in a Jan. 22 news release that included a statement from Gov. Mike DeWine, who signed a bill cracking down on distracted driving in 2023.

“A moment of inattention on the road can be enough to cause a devastating accident,” DeWine said in the release.

“Although Ohio drivers keep their eyes on the road more often than the national average, I encourage more drivers to put their phones down when traveling. Nothing on your phone is worth risking your life for.”

Prepare for snow in Columbus this weekend

By the way, in case you missed it, ODOT wants you to stay home this weekend during the upcoming snowstorm. I’ve written a lot about driving in the snow this winter, so here are some tips from previous issues of Getting There and other stories I’ve written.

• Stay away from snow plows.

• Avoid parking on the street if you can. Otherwise, park as close to the curb as possible so the plows can move.

• Drive slower and increase your following distance in winter. Your brakes will be less effective.

• If you have an accident, try to get your car off the road as quickly and as safely as possible.

• Carry emergency supplies like warm clothes, blankets, snacks, and jumper cables in your car in case you get stuck.

Transportation and neighborhoods reporter Nathan Hart can be contacted at NHart@dispatch.com, at @NathanRHart on X and at nathanhart.dispatch.com on Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohioans are less distracted than the average American driver, study finds