The House approved Senate changes.
(AP) Ohio teens could not use cellphones or other electronic devices while driving under a bill sent Tuesday to the governor.
The House voted 82-12 to pass the bill. The Senate previously approved it, and Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign it.
"This form of distraction has caused numerous injuries and deaths on Ohio's roadways and it is time to end these tragedies," said Rep. Nancy Garland (D-New Albany).
All drivers would be banned from texting, though young drivers could more easily be pulled over for it. The bill would make texting a secondary offense for adults. That means drivers could be ticketed for typing messages only if they were first pulled over for another offense, such as running a red light.
"Instead of a drivers education instructor telling their students that texting while driving should be discouraged, they'll now be able to say it's illegal and you can be cited for it," said Rep. Rex Damschroder, a Republican from Fremont.
Opponents of the bill worry that it takes away personal freedoms. Damschroder acknowledged that concern.
"For the people coming down the opposite side of the highway, it's their personal freedom I'm worried about," he said.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, the measure would be among the nation's broadest in terms of teen distracted driving restrictions. The organization says texting while driving is already prohibited in 38 states.
A spokesman for Gov. Kasich says he will sign the bill into law.
