It only takes a moment for tragedy to strike. Gov. Mike DeWine understands that, and that is why he introduced the “Hands-Free Ohio” provision earlier this year as part of his Executive Budget proposal.

Late last month, however, state lawmakers opted to remove the provision that aimed to help strengthen distracted driving laws. House Republicans pulled the crackdown from their version of the two-year state transportation budget, saying they wanted to take more time to consider the measure and that they wanted to avoid making traffic laws as part of the budget process.

Some other lawmakers, such as Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, oppose changes like those proposed by DeWine for other reasons. He said a tougher law could harm police-community relations and be “a significant imposition on liberty.”

As the law stands, handling electronic devices while driving is a secondary offense for adults in Ohio. That means an adult driver must commit some other traffic infraction in order to be pulled over and cited for sending text messages or watching videos on a cellphone. Only drivers under 18 years old can be cited for distracted driving as a primary offense.

DeWine’s proposal would have made handling any electronic wireless device while driving a primary offense for adults and juveniles. And it would have increased fines for drivers who habitually use electronic devices while behind the wheel.

DeWine called for the following to become primary offenses while driving: writing, sending or reading texts; watching or recording videos; taking photos or looking at images; live streaming; using apps; entering information into GPS navigation programs; dialing phone numbers; and holding a device for a phone call. He did include some exceptions, such as making emergency calls or using a device in hands-free mode. Public safety and utility professionals would have been exempt when performing actions required by their jobs.

Only three other states in the nation do not classify using a handheld electronic device while driving as a primary offense. Just across the Ohio River in West Virginia, using a cellphone while driving has been a primary traffic offense since 2013.

GOP House members may have a point — perhaps traffic laws should not be made as part of the budget process. There is no question, though, that distracted driving is a dangerous practice, both for those committing the act and for everyone else sharing the roadways with them.

Ohio needs to follow the example set by 46 other states and treat distracted driving seriously. State legislators should change the law to make it a primary offense.