SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio — For the first time ever on the Ohio Turnpike, troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) are launching distracted driving enforcement zones in Summit and Erie counties.
Beginning this week and ending on Sept. 29, motorists will see an increased presence of troopers and additional electronic signage within these zones in an effort to reduce crashes and raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
The enforcement locations are:
- Zone 1 in Erie County: Milepost 108 to 116, eastbound and westbound lanes.
- Zone 2 in Summit County: Milepost 174 to 190, eastbound and westbound lanes.
“The dangers of distracted driving are apparent to everyone. Every time someone takes their eyes off the road – even for just a few seconds – they put their lives and the lives of others in danger,” said Staff Lt. William Haymaker, Ohio Turnpike liaison. “The purpose of establishing these zones is to bring further awareness and education to the problem of distracted driving.”
Distracted driving is any non-driving activity with the potential to distract a person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.
The OSHP said, "Distractions can be visual, taking eyes off of the road; manual, taking hands off the wheel; or cognitive, taking the mind off the driving task. Texting while driving is an example that results in all three types of distraction."
Motorists are encouraged to use #677 to report dangerous or impaired drivers, as well as drug activity.
