WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | Texting fines will be pricey in Toledo
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Posted by Dave Dykema - email
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTOL) - You most likely have until the end of the year to text or read texts while driving in Toledo.
The fines get higher for each texting offense, and if you get caught more than once, you could end up in jail.
"The fine is high," said Keneisha Kerns. "That's a high fine!"
Kerns was one of many cell phone users who were surprised when News 11 told her the specifics behind the texting while driving ban.
A first offense is a minor misdemeanor that comes with a $150 fine.
But a second offense is a third degree misdemeanor with a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
Getting caught a third time is a first degree misdemeanor, a $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in jail.
Josie Mazza said, "It's a shocker." He thinks it's enough to convince certain people not to do it.
"I personally don't ever want to go to jail, so I probably either won't be texting or won't be seen texting," said Tonya Leu.
Don't get the idea into your head that you can get around this new law by waiting until you get to a red light or stop sign to send or read a text. that will also be illegal. You would have to have the car in park and outside the flow of traffic to not get busted.
It would also be a primary offense.
News 11 crime expert, retired Sgt. Richard Murphy explains. "An officer can observe you texting and he can pull you over for that at that time." When asked if it doesn't have to be something else like speeding first, Murphy replied, "No, doesn't have to be any other offense. And I am sure they are going to fight it. They are going to feel that this is their constitutional right. But their constitutional right is not to go out and kill or injure someone else."
Mayor FInkbeiner is expected to sign the ordinance into law. It would take effect on January 1, 2010.
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