Dublin Police joined six other agencies for an enforcement blitz on I-270 in July that netted 121 distracted driving citations across the corridor.

The operation ran from July 19 through July 25 and included the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Hilliard Police, Gahanna Police, Columbus Police and the Ohio Department of Transportation. Officers also issued 961 speeding citations, 19 citations for speeds above 100 mph and 84 seat belt violations, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook. Two drivers were arrested for impaired driving.

The blitz came as Ohio marks three years under its hands-free driving law. Senate Bill 288 (SB 288), signed by Gov. Mike DeWine in January 2023 and effective that April, made holding a phone while driving a primary offense under Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.204. Officers can pull over a driver solely for holding a device. All calls must go through Bluetooth or a vehicle's hands-free system.

Ohio traffic deaths also fell 3% from 2024 to 2025, the fourth straight year of decline. The state recorded 32 fewer fatalities in 2025 than the year before, according to data compiled by Governing magazine. Ohio's fatality rate was 0.98 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, below the national average of 1.10.

David Berk, owner of Faith Driving School, told NBC4 the law has made roads safer but said drivers still need to stay focused.

"The best thing to do is just put your phone down … Years ago when some of us were kids, we didn't even have cell phones and we survived just fine," Berk said. "The call can wait."

Residents can report dangerous driving to the Dublin Police non-emergency line at 614-889-1112.