(a) Except as provided in divisions (b) and (c), no person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public road or highway while using a wireless communications device to write, send or read a written communication.
(b) The provisions of division (a) shall not apply to:
(1) A law enforcement officer or emergency service personnel acting within the course and scope of the law enforcement officers or emergency service personnel's employment;
(2) A motor vehicle stopped off the regular traveled portion of the roadway;
(3) A person who reads, selects or enters a telephone number or name in a wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a phone call;
(4) A person who receives an emergency, traffic or weather alert message; or
(5) A person receiving a message related to the operation or navigation of the motor vehicle.
(c) The provisions of division (a) shall not prohibit a person from using a wireless communications device while operating a moving motor vehicle to:
(1) Report current or ongoing illegal activity to law enforcement;
(2) Prevent imminent injury to a person or property; or
(3) Relay information between transit or for-hire operator and the operator's dispatcher, in which the device is permanently affixed to the motor vehicle.
(Ord. 726-2022, passed 4-5-2022)