Ohio lawmaker caught driving during video call about bill on distracted driving

An Ohio lawmaker is defending his decision to take a work call while driving regarding a bill about using a smartphone while behind the wheel. 

The video call occurred Monday and involved state lawmakers talking about a bill to ban of writing, reading or sending text messages while driving.

"I wasn't distracted. I was paying attention to the driving and listening to" the meeting," said state GOP Sen. Andrew Brenner, according to The Columbus Dispatch. "I was wearing a seat belt and paying attention to the road."

Brenner also said his vehicle was parked for most of the video call. The newspaper says he used a fake background screen that looked like an office.

The lawmaker said he had done this before and has been on many calls while driving.

"I've actually been on other calls, numerous calls while driving," he said. "Phone calls for the most part, but on video calls. I'm not paying attention to the video. To me, it's like a phone call."