“The adult ban is a secondary law, so that means that you can’t be pulled over for that alone. You have to be pulled over for something else. And so we’d like to see that someday improved, whether that can get done this year, I don’t know. But certainly, it’s a goal worth pursuing.”

Newbacher says Ohio missed out on some federal money because its new law did not make texting-while-driving a primary offense.

AAA’s other legislative priorities include tougher seatbelt laws and laws that require ignition interlock devices for convicted drunk drivers.

An average of $500 million a year is provided to states that try to make safety improvements.