STRUTHERS, Ohio  -  Ohio's statewide texting bank takes effect beginning August 30th.

Adults can only be pulled over for texting as a secondary offense, meaning police need to have another reason, such as speeding, to cite you.

But for drivers under the age of 18, texting will be a primary offense.  This means no texting while driving, no e-mailing, no talking on your cell phone, and no playing of video games if you're driving, sitting at a light or struck in traffic.

Penalties for drivers under 18 can be severe.  For the first violation, it's a $150 fine, and a 60-day driver's license suspension.  For the second violation by a driver under 18, you'll pay a $300 fine, and your license will be suspended for a year.

Attorney Scott Cochran says the law is designed to send a strong message, "Because the distraction of the younger driver is more significant and it's more dangerous to us on the roadways, they've decided to give an enhanced penalty to them to really try to catch their attention, and disuade them from doing something like this."

Exceptions include a pre-programmed GPS, or emergency calls to police, ambulance, and fire departments.

However, there is a 6-month honeymoon period on Ohio's new texting law, so police can only give you a WARNING for breaking the law, they cannot issue any tickets during that time.

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