COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio drivers are staying more focused behind the wheel compared with the national average, according to a new study released Friday.
The statewide analysis by Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) found that Ohio drivers tapped on their phones 7.2% less than the average U.S. driver. From January through December 2025, U.S. drivers averaged 23.6 phone taps per 100 miles, while Ohio drivers averaged 21.9.
Drivers in Morrow, Madison, and Fayette counties tapped the least, while those in Highland, Seneca, and Butler counties tapped the most.
The study also found that handheld phone call rates in Ohio were 5% lower than the national average. U.S. drivers spent an average of 0.82% of their driving time on handheld calls, compared with 0.78% for Ohio drivers. Harrison, Meigs, and Hocking counties recorded the lowest time spent on handheld calls, while Adams, Highland, and Brown counties recorded the highest.
Since the state’s Phones Down law took effect in 2023, distracted driving has steadily declined, contributing to safer roads. Preliminary 2025 data show traffic deaths fell 3% compared with 2024, marking a fourth straight year of decline.
“A moment of inattention on the road can be all it takes to cause a devastating crash,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “Although drivers in Ohio are keeping their eyes on the road more often than the nationwide average, I encourage more drivers to put their phones down as they travel. Nothing on your phone is worth risking your life for.”
“Every time a driver chooses to put their phone down, they are making our roads safer for everyone,” said Col. Charles A. Jones, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “While our troopers continue to see the positive impact of this law through fewer crashes, our goal remains zero.”
“Ohio’s results show the measurable impact of hands-free laws on real driving behavior,” said Sam Madden, co-founder and chief scientist at CMT. “Until recently, capturing that impact at this scale and speed wasn’t possible. By applying artificial intelligence to smartphone sensor data, we can quantify road risk with unprecedented precision, see how it changes over time and location, and use those insights to prevent crashes.”
“Ohio’s progress is worth celebrating. However, we still see too many drivers focused on their phones instead of the road. This puts travelers and our roadside workers at risk. So please follow the law and put your phone down to ensure everyone gets to their destination or home safely,” said Ohio Department of Transportation Director Pamela Boratyn.
“CMT’s data confirms what we’ve long believed – Ohio’s Hands-Free law is making a profound difference in preventing distracted driving and making our roadways safer,” said Casey Kempton, Nationwide’s president of Property & Casualty Personal Lines. “Nationwide continues to advocate for laws in all 50 states that require drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. We applaud Gov. DeWine and the Ohio legislature for championing this important issue.”
Ohio’s law prohibits drivers from holding a cell phone or electronic device while driving, though hands-free use is allowed. First offenses in a two-year period carry up to a $150 fine and two points on a driver’s license. Fines and points increase with subsequent violations, and violations in work zones are doubled.
CMT analyzed more than 189 million trips in Ohio during 2025 using AI applied to smartphone and sensor data. The study aggregated data to detect risky driving behaviors, including hard braking, rapid acceleration, speeding, and distracted driving. All data were anonymized.
Details about Ohio’s law and safe driving programs are available at PhonesDown.Ohio.gov.