Chapter 333: OVI; Willful Misconduct; Speed

Sections

333.01 Driving or physical control while under the influence; evidence
333.02 Reckless operation; willful misconduct
333.03 Maximum speed limits; assured clear distance ahead
333.031 Approaching a stationary public safety, emergency or road service vehicle
333.04 Stopping vehicle; slow speed; posted minimum speeds
333.05 Speed limitations over bridges
333.06 Speed exceptions for emergency or safety vehicles
333.07 Street racing prohibited
333.08 Operation in violation of immobilization order
333.09 Electronic wireless communications device regulations

Cross references

See sectional histories for similar State law
Drug of abuse defined - see Ohio R.C. 3719.011(A)
Alcohol defined - see Ohio R.C. 4301.01(B)(1)
Alteration of prima-facie speed limits - see Ohio R.C. 4511.21, 4511.22 (B), 4511.23
Failure to control vehicle - see TRAF. 331.34
Walking on highway while under the influence - see TRAF. 371.09

333.01 Driving or physical control while under the influence; evidence

(a)
1. (1) Operation Generally. No person shall operate any vehicle within this Municipality, if, at the time of the operation, any of the following apply:
  1. (A) The person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them.
  2. (B) The person has a concentration of eight-hundredths of one per cent or more but less than seventeen-hundredths of one per cent by weight per unit volume of alcohol in the person’s whole blood.
  3. (C) The person has a concentration of ninety-six-thousandths of one per cent or more but less than two hundred four-thousandths of one per cent by weight per unit volume of alcohol in the person’s blood serum or plasma.
  4. (D) The person has a concentration of eight-hundredths of one gram or more but less than seventeen-hundredths of one gram by weight of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of the person’s breath.
  5. (E) The person has a concentration of eleven-hundredths of one gram or more but less than two hundred thirty-eight-thousandths of one gram by weight of alcohol per one hundred milliliters of the person’s urine.
  6. (F) The person has a concentration of seventeen-hundredths of one per cent or more by weight per unit volume of alcohol in the person’s whole blood.
  7. (G) The person has a concentration of two hundred four-thousandths of one per cent or more by weight per unit volume of alcohol in the person’s blood serum or plasma.
  8. (H) The person has a concentration of seventeen-hundredths of one gram or more by weight of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of the person’s breath.
  9. (I) The person has a concentration of two hundred thirty-eight- thousandths of one gram or more by weight of alcohol per one hundred milliliters of the person’s urine.
  10. (J) Except as provided in subsection (m) of this section, the person has a concentration of any of the following controlled substances or metabolites of a controlled substance in the person’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, or urine that equals or exceeds any of the following:
    1. (1) The person has a concentration of amphetamine in the person’s urine of at least five hundred nanograms of amphetamine per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of amphetamine in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least one hundred nanograms of amphetamine per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
    2. (2) The person has a concentration of cocaine in the person’s urine of at least one hundred fifty nanograms of cocaine per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of cocaine in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least fifty nanograms of cocaine per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
    3. (3) The person has a concentration of cocaine metabolite in the person’s urine of at least one hundred fifty nanograms of cocaine metabolite per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of cocaine metabolite in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least fifty nanograms of cocaine metabolite per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
    4. (4) The person has a concentration of heroin in the person’s urine of at least two thousand nanograms of heroin per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of heroin in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least fifty nanograms of heroin per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
    5. (5) The person has a concentration of heroin metabolite (6- monoacetyl morphine) in the person’s urine of at least ten nanograms of heroin metabolite (6-monoacetyl morphine) per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of heroin metabolite (6-monoacetyl morphine) in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least ten nanograms of heroin metabolite (6-monoacetyl morphine) per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
    6. (6) The person has a concentration of L.S.D. in the person’s urine of at least twenty-five nanograms of L.S.D. per milliliter of the person’s urine or a concentration of L.S.D. in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least ten nanograms of L.S.D. per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
    7. (7) The person has a concentration of marihuana in the person’s urine of at least ten nanograms of marihuana per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of marihuana in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least two nanograms of marihuana per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
    8. (8) Either of the following applies:
      1. (a) The person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them, and the person has a concentration of marihuana metabolite in the person’s urine of at least fifteen nanograms of marihuana metabolite per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of marihuana metabolite in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least five nanograms of marihuana metabolite per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
      2. (b) The person has a concentration of marihuana metabolite in the person’s urine of at least thirty-five nanograms of marihuana metabolite per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of marihuana metabolite in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least fifty nanograms of marihuana metabolite per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
    9. (9) The person has a concentration of methamphetamine in the person’s urine of at least five hundred nanograms of methamphetamine per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of methamphetamine in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least one hundred nanograms of methamphetamine per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
    10. (10) The person has a concentration of phencyclidine in the person’s urine of at least twenty-five nanograms of phencyclidine per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of phencyclidine in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least ten nanograms of phencyclidine per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
    11. (11) The State Board of Pharmacy has adopted a rule pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4729.041 that specifies the amount of salvia divinorum and the amount of salvinorin A that constitute concentrations of salvia divinorum and salvinorin A in a person’s urine, in a person’s whole blood, or in a person’s blood serum or plasma at or above which the person is impaired for purposes of operating any vehicle within this Municipality, the rule is in effect, and the person has a concentration of salvia divinorum or salvinorin A of at least that amount so specified by rule in the person’s urine, in the person’s whole blood, or in the person’s blood serum or plasma.
2. (2) No person who, within twenty years of the conduct described in subsection (a)(2)A. of this section, previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of Ohio R.C. 4511.19(A) or (B), or any other equivalent offense shall do both of the following:
  1. (A) Operate any vehicle within this Municipality while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse or a combination of them;
  2. (B) Subsequent to being arrested for operating the vehicle as described in subsection (a)(2)A. of this section, being asked by a law enforcement officer to submit to a chemical test or tests under Ohio R.C. 4511.191, and being advised by the officer in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4511.192 of the consequences of the person’s refusal or submission to the test or tests, refuse to submit to the test or tests.
(b) Operation After Under-Age Consumption. No person under twenty-one years of age shall operate any vehicle within this Municipality, if, at the time of the operation, any of the following apply:
1. (1) The person has a concentration of at least two-hundredths of one per cent but less than eight-hundredths of one per cent by weight per unit volume of alcohol in the person’s whole blood.
2. (2) The person has a concentration of at least three-hundredths of one per cent but less than ninety-six-thousandths of one per cent by weight per unit volume of alcohol in the person’s blood serum or plasma.
3. (3) The person has a concentration of at least two-hundredths of one gram but less than eight-hundredths of one gram by weight of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of the person’s breath.
4. (4) The person has a concentration of at least twenty-eight one- thousandths of one gram but less than eleven-hundredths of one gram by weight of alcohol per one hundred milliliters of the person’s urine.
(c) One Conviction Limitation. In any proceeding arising out of one incident, a person may be charged with a violation of subsection (a)(1)A. or (a)(2) and a violation of subsection (b)(1), (2) or (3) of this section, but the person may not be convicted of more than one violation of these subsections.
(ORC 4511.99)
(d) Physical Control.
1. (1) As used in this subsection, “physical control” means being in the driver’s position of the front seat of a vehicle and having possession of the vehicle’s ignition key or other ignition device.
2. (2)
  1. (A) No person shall be in physical control of a vehicle if, at the time of the physical control, any of the following apply:
    1. (1) The person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them.
    2. (2) The person’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, or urine contains at least the concentration of alcohol specified in subsection (a)(1)B., C., D. or E. hereof.
    3. (3) Except as provided in subsection (d)(3) of this section, the person has a concentration of a listed controlled substance or a listed metabolite of a controlled substance in the person’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, or urine that equals or exceeds the concentration specified in subsection (a)(1)J. hereof.
  2. (B) No person under twenty-one years of age shall be in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them or while the person’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, or urine contains at least the concentration of alcohol specified in subsection (b)(1) to (4) hereof.
3. (3) Subsection (d)(2)A.3. of this section does not apply to a person who is in physical control of a vehicle while the person has a concentration of a listed controlled substance or a listed metabolite of a controlled substance in the person’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, or urine that equals or exceeds the amount specified in subsection (a)(1)J. hereof, if both of the following apply:
  1. (A) The person obtained the controlled substance pursuant to a prescription issued by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs.
  2. (B) The person injected, ingested, or inhaled the controlled substance in accordance with the health professional’s directions.
(e) Evidence; Tests.
1. (1)
  1. (A) In any criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of (a)(1)A. of this section or for any equivalent offense, that is vehicle-related the result of any test of any blood or urine withdrawn and analyzed at any health care provider, as defined in Ohio R.C. 2317.02, may be admitted with expert testimony to be considered with any other relevant and competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant.
  2. (B) In any criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section or for an equivalent offense that is vehicle related, the court may admit evidence on the concentration of alcohol, drugs of abuse, controlled substances, metabolites of a controlled substance, or a combination of them in the defendant’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, urine or other bodily substance at the time of the alleged violation as shown by chemical analysis of the substance withdrawn within three hours of the time of the alleged violation. The three-hour time limit specified in this subsection regarding the admission of evidence does not extend or affect the two-hour time limit specified in Ohio R.C. 4511.192(A) as the maximum period of time during which a person may consent to a chemical test or tests as described in that section.
    
    The court may admit evidence on the concentration of alcohol, drugs of abuse, or a combination of them as described in this section when a person submits to a blood, breath, urine or other bodily substance test at the request of a law enforcement officer under Ohio R.C. 4511.191, or a blood or urine sample is obtained pursuant to a search warrant. Only a physician, a registered nurse, an emergency medical technician-intermediate, an emergency medical technician-paramedic or a qualified technician, chemist, or phlebotomist shall withdraw a blood sample for the purpose of determining the alcohol, drug, controlled substance, metabolite of a controlled substance, or combination content of the whole blood, blood serum, or blood plasma. This limitation does not apply to the taking of breath or urine specimens. A person authorized to withdraw blood under this subsection may refuse to withdraw blood under this subsection, if in that person’s opinion, the physical welfare of the person would be endangered by the withdrawing of blood. The bodily substance withdrawn under subsection (e)(1)B. hereof shall be analyzed in accordance with methods approved by the Director of Health by an individual possessing a valid permit issued by the Director pursuant to Ohio R.C. 3701.143.
  3. (C) As used in subsection (e)(1)B. of this section, “emergency medical technician-intermediate” and “emergency medical technician-paramedic” have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 4765.01.
2. (2) In a criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for violation of subsection (a) of this section or for an equivalent offense that is vehicle related, if there was at the time the bodily substance was withdrawn a concentration of less than the applicable concentration of alcohol specified in subsections (a)(1)B., C., D. and E. of this section, or less than the applicable concentration of a listed controlled substance or a listed metabolite of a controlled substance specified for a violation of subsection (a)(1)J. of this section, that fact may be considered with other competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant. This subsection does not limit or affect a criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of subsection (b) of this section or for an equivalent offense that is substantially equivalent to that subsection.
3. (3) Upon the request of the person who was tested, the results of the chemical test shall be made available to the person or the person’s attorney, immediately upon the completion of the chemical test analysis. If the chemical test was obtained pursuant to subsection (e)(1)B. hereof, the person tested may have a physician, a registered nurse, or a qualified technician, chemist or phlebotomist of the person’s own choosing administer a chemical test or tests, at the person’s expense, in addition to any administered at the request of a law enforcement officer. If the person was under arrest as described in division (A)(5) of Ohio R.C. 4511.191, the arresting officer shall advise the person at the time of the arrest that the person may have an independent chemical test taken at the person’s own expense. If the person was under arrest other than described in division (A)(5) of Ohio R.C. 4511.191, the form to be read to the person to be tested, as required under Ohio R.C. 4511.192, shall state that the person may have an independent test performed at the person’s expense. The failure or inability to obtain an additional chemical test by a person shall not preclude the admission of evidence relating to the chemical test or tests taken at the request of a law enforcement officer.
4. (4)
  1. (A) As used in subsections (e)(4)B. and C. of this section, “national highway traffic safety administration” means the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration established as an administration of the United States Department of Transportation under 96 Stat. 2415 (1983), 49 U.S.C.A. 105.
  2. (B) In any criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of subsection (a), (b) or (d) of this section, of a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, or of a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle with a prohibited concentration of alcohol, a controlled substance, or a metabolite of a controlled substance in the whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath or urine, if a law enforcement officer has administered a field sobriety test to the operator or person in physical control of the vehicle involved in the violation and if it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the officer administered the test in substantial compliance with the testing standards for any reliable, credible, and generally accepted field sobriety tests that were in effect at the time the tests were administered, including, but not limited to, any testing standards then in effect that were set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all of the following apply:
    1. (1) The officer may testify concerning the results of the field sobriety test so administered.
    2. (2) The prosecution may introduce the results of the field sobriety test so administered as evidence in any proceedings in the criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding.
    3. (3) If testimony is presented or evidence is introduced under subsection (e)(4)B.1. or 2. of this section and if the testimony or evidence is admissible under the Rules of Evidence, the court shall admit the testimony or evidence and the trier of fact shall give it whatever weight the trier of fact considers to be appropriate.
  3. (C) Subsection (e)(4)B. of this section does not limit or preclude a court, in its determination of whether the arrest of a person was supported by probable cause or its determination of any other matter in a criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding of a type described in that subsection, from considering evidence or testimony that is not otherwise disallowed by subsection (e)(4)B. of this section.
    (ORC 4511.19; 4511.194)
(f) Forensic Laboratory Reports.
1. (1) Subject to subsection (f)(3) of this section, in any criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of subsection (a) (1)B., C., D., E., F., G., H., I., or J. or (b)(1), (2), (3) or (4) of this section or for an equivalent offense that is substantially equivalent to any of those subsections, a laboratory report from any laboratory personnel issued a permit by the Department of Health authorizing an analysis as described in this subsection that contains an analysis of the whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, urine, or other bodily substance tested and that contains all of the information specified in this subsection shall be admitted as prima- facie evidence of the information and statements that the report contains. The laboratory report shall contain all of the following:
  1. (A) The signature, under oath, of any person who performed the analysis;
  2. (B) Any findings as to the identity and quantity of alcohol, a drug of abuse, a controlled substance, a metabolite of a controlled substance, or a combination of them that was found;
  3. (C) A copy of a notarized statement by the laboratory director or a designee of the director that contains the name of each certified analyst or test performer involved with the report, the analyst’s or test performer’s employment relationship with the laboratory that issued the report, and a notation that performing an analysis of the type involved is part of the analyst’s or test performer’s regular duties;
  4. (D) An outline of the analyst’s or test performer’s education, training, and experience in performing the type of analysis involved and a certification that the laboratory satisfies appropriate quality control standards in general and, in this particular analysis, under rules of the Department of Health.
2. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law regarding the admission of evidence, a report of the type described in subsection (f)(1) of this section is not admissible against the defendant to whom it pertains in any proceeding, other than a preliminary hearing or a grand jury proceeding, unless the prosecutor has served a copy of the report on the defendant’s attorney or, if the defendant has no attorney, on the defendant.
3. (3) A report of the type described in subsection (f)(1) of this section shall not be prima-facie evidence of the contents, identity, or amount of any substance if, within seven days after the defendant to whom the report pertains or the defendant’s attorney receives a copy of the report, the defendant or the defendant’s attorney demands the testimony of the person who signed the report. The judge in the case may extend the seven-day time limit in the interest of justice.
(g) Immunity From Liability For Withdrawing Blood. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any physician, registered nurse, emergency medical technician-intermediate, emergency medical technician-paramedic, or qualified technician, chemist, or phlebotomist who withdraws blood from a person pursuant to this section or Ohio R.C. 4511.191 or 4511.192, and any hospital, first-aid station, or clinic at which blood is withdrawn from a person pursuant to this section or Ohio R.C. 4511.191 or 4511.192, is immune from criminal liability and civil liability based upon a claim of assault and battery or any other claim that is not a claim of malpractice, for any act performed in withdrawing blood from the person. The immunity provided in this subsection also extends to an emergency medical service organization that employs an emergency medical technician-intermediate or emergency medical technician-paramedic who withdraws blood under this section. The immunity provided in this subsection is not available to a person who withdraws blood if the person engaged in willful or wanton misconduct.

As used in this subsection, “emergency medical technician-intermediate” and “emergency medical technician-paramedic” have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 4765.01.
(h) General OVI Penalty.
1. (1) Whoever violates any provision of subsections (a)(1)A. to I. or (a) (2) of this section is guilty of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them. Whoever violates subsection (a)(1)J. of this section is guilty of operating a vehicle while under the influence of a listed controlled substance or a listed metabolite of a controlled substance. The court shall sentence the offender for either offense under Ohio R.C. Chapter 2929, and this Traffic Code, except as otherwise authorized or required by subsections (h)(1)A. to E. of this section:
  1. (A) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (h)(1)B., C., D. or E. of this section, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, and the court shall sentence the offender to all of the following:
    1. (1) If the sentence is being imposed for a violation of subsections (a)(1)A., B., C., D., E., or J. of this section, a mandatory jail term of three consecutive days. As used in this subsection, three consecutive days means seventy-two consecutive hours. The court may sentence an offender to both an intervention program and a jail term. The court may impose a jail term in addition to the three-day mandatory jail term or intervention program. However, in no case shall the cumulative jail term imposed for the offense exceed six months.
      
      The court may suspend the execution of the three-day jail term under this subsection if the court, in lieu of that suspended term, places the offender under a community control sanction pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2929.25 and requires the offender to attend, for three consecutive days, a drivers’ intervention program certified under Ohio R.C. 5119.38.
      
      The court also may suspend the execution of any part of the three-day jail term under this subsection if it places the offender under a community control sanction pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2929.25 for part of the three days, requires the offender to attend for the suspended part of the term a drivers’ intervention program so certified, and sentences the offender to a jail term equal to the remainder of the three consecutive days that the offender does not spend attending the program. The court may require the offender, as a condition of community control and in addition to the required attendance at a drivers’ intervention program, to attend and satisfactorily complete any treatment or education programs that comply with the minimum standards adopted pursuant to Ohio R.C. Chapter 5119 by the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services that the operators of the drivers’ intervention program determine that the offender should attend and to report periodically to the court on the offender’s progress in the programs. The court also may impose on the offender any other conditions of community control that it considers necessary. If the court grants unlimited driving privileges to a first-time offender under Ohio R.C. 4510.022, all penalties imposed upon the offender by the court under subsection (h)(1)A.1. of this section for the offense apply, except that the court shall suspend any mandatory or additional jail term imposed by the court under subsection (h)(1)A.1. of this section upon granting unlimited driving privileges in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4510.022.
    2. (2) If the sentence is being imposed for a violation of subsection (a)(1)F., G., H. or I. or (a)(2) of this section, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a mandatory jail term of at least three consecutive days and a requirement that the offender attend, for three consecutive days, a drivers’ intervention program that is certified pursuant to Ohio R.C. 5119.38. As used in this subsection, three consecutive days means seventy-two consecutive hours. If the court determines that the offender is not conducive to treatment in a drivers’ intervention program, if the offender refuses to attend a drivers’ intervention program, or if the jail at which the offender is to serve the jail term imposed can provide a drivers’ intervention program, the court shall sentence the offender to a mandatory jail term of at least six consecutive days.
      
      If the court grants unlimited driving privileges to a first-time offender under Ohio R.C. 4510.022, all penalties imposed upon the offender by the court under subsection (h)(1)A.2. of this section for the offense apply, except that the court shall suspend any mandatory or additional jail term imposed by the court under subsection (h)(1)A.2. of this section upon granting unlimited driving privileges in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4510.022.
      
      The court may require the offender, under a community control sanction imposed under Ohio R.C. 2929.25, to attend and satisfactorily complete any treatment or education programs that comply with the minimum standards adopted pursuant to Ohio R.C. Chapter 5119 by the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in addition to the required attendance at drivers’ intervention program, that the operators of the drivers’ intervention program determine that the offender should attend and to report periodically to the court on the offender’s progress in the programs. The court also may impose any other conditions of community control on the offender that it considers necessary.
    3. (3) In all cases, a fine of not less than three hundred seventy- five dollars ($375.00) and not more than one thousand seventy-five dollars ($1,075).
    4. (4) In all cases, a suspension of the offender’s driver’s or commercial driver’s license or permit or nonresident operating privilege for a definite period of one to three years. The court may grant limited driving privileges relative to the suspension under Ohio R.C. 4510.021 and 4510.13. The court may grant unlimited driving privileges with an ignition interlock device relative to the suspension and may reduce the period of suspension as authorized under Ohio R.C. 4510.022.
  2. (B) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)(1)E. of this section, an offender who, within ten years of the offense, previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section or one other equivalent offense is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. The court shall sentence the offender to all of the following:
    1. (1) If the sentence is being imposed for a violation of subsection (a)(1)A., B., C., D., E., or J. of this section, a mandatory jail term of ten consecutive days. The court shall impose the ten-day mandatory jail term under this subsection unless, subject to subsection (h)(3) of this section, it instead imposes a sentence under that subsection consisting of both a jail term and a term of house arrest with electronic monitoring, with continuous alcohol monitoring, or with both electronic monitoring and continuous alcohol monitoring. The court may impose a jail term in addition to the ten-day mandatory jail term. The cumulative jail term imposed for the offense shall not exceed six months.
      
      In addition to the jail term or the term of house arrest with electronic monitoring or continuous alcohol monitoring or both types of monitoring and jail term, the court shall require the offender to be assessed by a community addiction services provider that is authorized by Ohio R.C. 5119.21, subject to subsection (k) of this section, and shall order the offender to follow the treatment recommendations of the services provider. The purpose of the assessment is to determine the degree of the offender’s alcohol usage and to determine whether or not treatment is warranted. Upon the request of the court, the services provider shall submit the results of the assessment to the court, including all treatment recommendations and clinical diagnoses related to alcohol use.
    2. (2) If the sentence is being imposed for a violation of subsection (a)(1)F., G., H. or I. or (a)(2) of this section, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a mandatory jail term of twenty consecutive days. The court shall impose the twenty-day mandatory jail term under this subsection unless, subject to subsection (h)(3) of this section, it instead imposes a sentence under that subsection consisting of both a jail term and a term of house arrest with electronic monitoring, with continuous alcohol monitoring, or with both electronic monitoring and continuous alcohol monitoring. The court may impose a jail term in addition to the twenty-day mandatory jail term. The cumulative jail term imposed for the offense shall not exceed six months.
      
      In addition to the jail term or the term of house arrest with electronic monitoring or continuous alcohol monitoring or both types of monitoring and jail term, the court shall require the offender to be assessed by a community addiction services provider that is authorized by Ohio R.C. 5119.21, subject to subsection (k) of this section, and shall order the offender to follow the treatment recommendations of the services provider. The purpose of the assessment is to determine the degree of the offender’s alcohol usage and to determine whether or not treatment is warranted. Upon the request of the court, the services provider shall submit the results of the assessment to the court, including all treatment recommendations and clinical diagnoses related to alcohol use.
    3. (3) In all cases, notwithstanding the fines set forth in Section 303.99, a fine of not less than five hundred twenty-five dollars ($525.00) and not more than one thousand six hundred twenty-five dollars ($1,625).
    4. (4) In all cases, a suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege for a definite period of one to seven years. The court may grant limited driving privileges relative to the suspension under Ohio R.C. 4510.021 and 4510.13.
      (ORC 4511.19)
    5. (5) In all cases, if the vehicle is registered in the offender’s name, immobilization of the vehicle involved in the offense for ninety days in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4503.233 and impoundment of the license plates of that vehicle for ninety days.
      (ORC 4511.193)
  3. (C) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)(1)E. of this section, an offender who, within ten years of the offense, previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two violations of subsection (a) or (b) of this section or other equivalent offenses is guilty of a misdemeanor. The court shall sentence the offender to all of the following:
    1. (1) If the sentence is being imposed for a violation of subsection (a)(1)A., B., C., D., E., or J. of this section, a mandatory jail term of thirty consecutive days. The court shall impose the thirty-day mandatory jail term under this subsection unless, subject to subsection (h)(3) of this section, it instead imposes a sentence under that subsection consisting of both a jail term and a term of house arrest with electronic monitoring, with continuous alcohol monitoring, or with both electronic monitoring and continuous alcohol monitoring. The court may impose a jail term in addition to the thirty-day mandatory jail term. Notwithstanding the jail terms set forth in Section 303.99, the additional jail term shall not exceed one year, and the cumulative jail term imposed for the offense shall not exceed one year.
    2. (2) If the sentence is being imposed for a violation of subsection (a)(1)F., G., H. or I. or (a)(2) of this section, a mandatory jail term of sixty consecutive days. The court shall impose the sixty-day mandatory jail term under this subsection unless, subject to subsection (h)(3) of this section, it instead imposes a sentence under that subsection consisting of both a jail term and a term of electronically monitored house arrest with continuous alcohol monitoring, or with both electronic monitoring and continuous alcohol monitoring. The court may impose a jail term in addition to the sixty-day mandatory jail term. Notwithstanding the terms of imprisonment set forth in Section 303.99, the additional jail term shall not exceed one year, and the cumulative jail term imposed for the offense shall not exceed one year.
    3. (3) In all cases, notwithstanding the fines set forth in Section 303.99, a fine of not less than eight hundred fifty dollars ($850.00) and not more than two thousand seven hundred fifty dollars ($2,750).
    4. (4) In all cases, a suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege for a definite period of two to twelve years. The court may grant limited driving privileges relative to the suspension under Ohio R.C. 4510.021 and 4510.13.
      (ORC 4511.19)
    5. (5) In all cases, if the vehicle is registered in the offender’s name, criminal forfeiture of the vehicle involved in the offense in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4503.234. Subsection (h)(5) of this section applies regarding any vehicle that is subject to an order of criminal forfeiture under this subsection.
      (ORC 4511.193)
    6. (6) In all cases, the court shall order the offender to participate with a community addiction services provider authorized by Ohio R.C. 5119.21, subject to subsection (k) of this section, and shall order the offender to follow the treatment recommendations of the services provider. The operator of the services provider shall determine and assess the degree of the offender’s alcohol dependency and shall make recommendations for treatment. Upon the request of the court, the services provider shall submit the results of the assessment to the court, including all treatment recommendations and clinical diagnoses related to alcohol use.
  4. (D) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)(1)E. of this section, an offender who, within ten years of the offense, previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to three or four violations of subsection (a) or (b) of this section or other equivalent offenses or an offender who, within twenty years of the offense, previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to five or more violations of that nature is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree and shall be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
  5. (E) An offender who previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of Ohio R.C. 4511.19(A) that was a felony, regardless of when the violation and the conviction or guilty plea occurred, is guilty of a felony of the third degree and shall be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
2. (2) An offender who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of subsection (a) of this section and who subsequently seeks reinstatement of the driver’s or occupational driver’s license or permit or nonresident operating privilege suspended under this section as a result of the conviction or guilty plea shall pay a reinstatement fee as provided in division (F)(2) of Ohio R.C. 4511.191.
3. (3) If an offender is sentenced to a jail term under subsection (h) (1)B.1. or 2. or (h)(1)C.1. or 2. of this section and if, within sixty days of sentencing of the offender, the court issues a written finding on the record that, due to the unavailability of space at the jail where the offender is required to serve the term, the offender will not be able to begin serving that term within the sixty-day period following the date of sentencing, the court may impose an alternative sentence under this subsection that includes a term of house arrest with electronic monitoring, with continuous alcohol monitoring, or with both electronic monitoring and continuous alcohol monitoring.
  
  As an alternative to a mandatory jail term of ten consecutive days required by subsection (h)(1)B.1. of this section, the court, under this subsection, may sentence the offender to five consecutive days in jail and not less than eighteen consecutive days of house arrest with electronic monitoring, with continuous alcohol monitoring, or with both electronic monitoring and continuous alcohol monitoring. The cumulative total of the five consecutive days in jail and the period of house arrest with electronic monitoring, continuous alcohol monitoring, or both types of monitoring shall not exceed six months. The five consecutive days in jail do not have to be served prior to or consecutively to the period of house arrest.
  
  As an alternative to the mandatory jail term of twenty consecutive days required by subsection (h)(1)B.2. of this section, the court, under this subsection, may sentence the offender to ten consecutive days in jail and not less than thirty-six consecutive days of house arrest with electronic monitoring, with continuous alcohol monitoring, or with both electronic monitoring and continuous alcohol monitoring. The cumulative total of the ten consecutive days in jail and the period of house arrest with electronic monitoring, continuous alcohol monitoring or both types of monitoring shall not exceed six months. The ten consecutive days in jail do not have to be served prior to or consecutively to the period of house arrest.
  
  As an alternative to a mandatory jail term of thirty consecutive days required by subsection (h)(1)C.1. of this section, the court, under this subsection, may sentence the offender to fifteen consecutive days in jail and not less than fifty-five consecutive days of house arrest with electronic monitoring, with continuous alcohol monitoring, or with both electronic monitoring and continuous alcohol monitoring. The cumulative total of the fifteen consecutive days in jail and the period of house arrest with electronic monitoring, continuous alcohol monitoring or both types of monitoring shall not exceed one year. The fifteen consecutive days in jail do not have to be served prior to or consecutively to the period of house arrest.
  
  As an alternative to the mandatory jail term of sixty consecutive days required by subsection (h)(1)C.2. of this section, the court, under this subsection, may sentence the offender to thirty consecutive days in jail and not less than one hundred ten consecutive days of house arrest with electronic monitoring, with continuous alcohol monitoring, or with both electronic monitoring and continuous alcohol monitoring. The cumulative total of the thirty consecutive days in jail and the period of house arrest with electronic monitoring, continuous alcohol monitoring, or both types of monitoring shall not exceed one year. The thirty consecutive days in jail do not have to be served prior to or consecutively to the period of house arrest.
4. (4) If an offender’s driver’s or occupational driver’s license or permit or nonresident operating privilege is suspended under subsection (h) of this section and if Ohio R.C. 4510.13 permits the court to grant limited driving privileges, the court may grant the limited driving privileges in accordance with that section. If division (A)(7) of that section requires that the court impose as a condition of the privileges that the offender must display on the vehicle that is driven subject to the privileges restricted license plates that are issued under Ohio R.C. 4503.231, except as provided in division (B) of that section, the court shall impose that condition as one of the conditions of the limited driving privileges granted to the offender, except as provided in division (B) of Ohio R.C. 4503.231.
5. (5) If title to a motor vehicle that is subject to an order of criminal forfeiture under this section is assigned or transferred and division (B)(2) or (3) of Ohio R.C. 4503.234 applies, in addition to or independent of any other penalty established by law, the court may fine the offender the value of the vehicle as determined by publications of the national auto dealers association. The proceeds of any fine so imposed shall be distributed in accordance with division (C)(2) of that section.
6. (6) In all cases in which an offender is sentenced under subsection (h) of this section, the offender shall provide the court with proof of financial responsibility as defined in Ohio R.C. 4509.01. If the offender fails to provide that proof of financial responsibility, the court, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, may order restitution pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2929.18 or 2929.28 in an amount not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) for any economic loss arising from an accident or collision that was the direct and proximate result of the offender’s operation of the vehicle before, during or after committing the offense for which the offender is sentenced under subsection (h) of this section.
7. (7) A court may order an offender to reimburse a law enforcement agency for any costs incurred by the agency with respect to a chemical test or tests administered to the offender if all of the following apply:
  1. (A) The offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of subsection (a) of this section.
  2. (B) The test or tests were of the offender’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, or urine.
  3. (C) The test or tests indicated that the offender had a prohibited concentration of a controlled substance or a metabolite of a controlled substance in the offender’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, or urine at the time of the offense.
8. (8) As used in subsection (h) of this section, “electronic monitoring”, “mandatory prison term” and “mandatory term of local incarceration” have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 2929.01.
(i) Vehicle Operation After Underage Alcohol Consumption Penalty. Whoever violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of operating a vehicle after underage alcohol consumption and shall be punished as follows:
1. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (i)(2) of this section, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. In addition to any other sanction imposed for the offense, the court shall impose a class six suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in division (A)(6) of Ohio R.C. 4510.02. The court may grant limited driving privileges relative to the suspension under Ohio R.C. 4510.021 and 4510.13. The court may grant unlimited driving privileges with an ignition interlock device relative to the suspension and may reduce the period of suspension as authorized under Ohio R.C. 4510.022. If the court grants unlimited driving privileges under Ohio R.C. 4510.022, the court shall suspend any jail term imposed under subsection (i)(1) of this section as required under that section.
2. (2) If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of subsection (a) or (b) of this section or other equivalent offenses, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. In addition to any other sanction imposed for the offense, the court shall impose a class four suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in division (A)(4) of Ohio R.C. 4510.02. The court may grant limited driving privileges relative to the suspension under Ohio R.C. 4510.021 and 4510.13.
3. (3) If the offender also is convicted of or also pleads guilty to a specification of the type described in Ohio R.C. 2941.1416 and if the court imposes a jail term for the violation of subsection (b) of this section, the court shall impose upon the offender an additional definite jail term pursuant to division (E) of Ohio R.C. 2929.24.
4. (4) The offender shall provide the court with proof of financial responsibility as defined in Ohio R.C. 4509.01. If the offender fails to provide that proof of financial responsibility, then, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, the court may order restitution pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2929.28, in an amount not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) for any economic loss arising from an accident or collision that was the direct and proximate result of the offender’s operation of the vehicle before, during or after committing the violation of subsection (b) of this section.
  (ORC 4511.19)
(j) Physical Control Penalty. Whoever violates subsection (d) hereof is guilty of having physical control of a vehicle while under the influence, a misdemeanor of the first degree. In addition to other sanctions imposed, the court may impose on the offender a class seven suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in division (A)(7) of Ohio R.C. 4510.02.
(ORC 4511.194)
(k) Compliance With Ohio R.C. Chapter 5119 Standards.
1. (1) No court shall sentence an offender to an alcohol treatment program under this section unless the treatment program complies with the minimum standards for alcohol treatment programs adopted under Ohio R.C. Chapter 5119 by the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
2. (2) An offender who stays in a driver’s intervention program or in an alcohol treatment program under an order issued under this section shall pay the cost of the stay in the program. However, if the court determines that an offender who stays in an alcohol treatment program under an order issued under this section is unable to pay the cost of the stay in the program, the court may order that the cost be paid from the court’s indigent drivers’ alcohol treatment fund.
(l) Appeal Does Not Stay Operation of License Suspension. If a person whose driver’s or commercial driver’s license or permit or nonresident operating privilege is suspended under this section files an appeal regarding any aspect of the person’s trial or sentence, the appeal itself does not stay the operation of the suspension.
(m) Subsection (a)(1)J. of this section does not apply to a person who operates a vehicle while the person has a concentration of a listed controlled substance or a listed metabolite of a controlled substance in the person’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, or urine that equals or exceeds the amount specified in that subsection, if both of the following apply:
1. (1) The person obtained the controlled substance pursuant to a prescription issued by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs.
2. (2) The person injected, ingested, or inhaled the controlled substance in accordance with the health professional’s directions.
(n) The prohibited concentrations of a controlled substance or a metabolite of a controlled substance listed in subsection (a)(1)J. of this section also apply in a prosecution of a violation of Ohio R.C. 2923.16(D) in the same manner as if the offender is being prosecuted for a prohibited concentration of alcohol.
(o) Conflict of Terms. All terms defined in Ohio R.C. 4510.01 apply to this section. If the meaning of a term defined in Ohio R.C. 4510.01 conflicts with the meaning of the same term as defined in Ohio R.C. 4501.01 or this Traffic Code, the term as defined in Ohio R.C. 4510.01 applies to this section.
(ORC 4511.19)
(p) Indigent Drivers Alcohol Treatment Fund. Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) of any fine imposed for a violation of subsection (a) hereof shall be deposited into the municipal or county indigent drivers alcohol treatment fund pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4511.193.
(ORC 4511.193)
(q) Definitions. As used in this section:
1. (1) “Equivalent offense” means any of the following:
  1. (A) A violation of division (A) or (B) of Ohio R.C. 4511.19;
  2. (B) A violation of a municipal OVI ordinance;
  3. (C) A violation of Ohio R.C. 2903.04 in a case in which the offender was subject to the sanctions described in division (D) of that section;
  4. (D) A violation of division (A)(1) of Ohio R.C. 2903.06 or 2903.08 or a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to either of those divisions;
  5. (E) A violation of division (A)(2), (3) or (4) of Ohio R.C. 2903.06, division (A)(2) of Ohio R.C. 2903.08, or former Ohio R.C. 2903.07, or a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to any of those divisions or that former section, in a case in which a judge or jury as the trier of fact found that the offender was under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them;
  6. (F) A violation of division (A) or (B) of Ohio R.C. 1547.11;
  7. (G) A violation of a municipal ordinance prohibiting a person from operating or being in physical control of any vessel underway or from manipulating any water skis, aquaplane or similar device on the waters of this State while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them or prohibiting a person from operating or being in physical control of any vessel underway or from manipulating any water skis, aquaplane or similar device on the waters of this State with a prohibited concentration of alcohol, a controlled substance, or a metabolite of a controlled substance in the whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath or urine;
  8. (H) A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance, law of another state, or law of the United States that is substantially equivalent to division (A) or (B) of Ohio R.C. 4511.19 or division (A) or (B) or Ohio R.C. 1547.11;
  9. (I) A violation of a former law of this State that was substantially equivalent to division (A) or (B) of Ohio R.C. 4511.19 or division (A) or (B) of Ohio R.C. 1547.11;
2. (2) “Mandatory jail term” means the mandatory term in jail of three, six, ten, twenty, thirty, or sixty days that must be imposed under subsection (h)(1)A., B. or C. upon an offender convicted of a violation of subsection (a) hereof and in relation to which all of the following apply:
  1. (A) Except as specifically authorized under this section, the term must be served in a jail.
  2. (B) Except as specifically authorized under this section, the term cannot be suspended, reduced or otherwise modified pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2929.21 to 2929.28, or any other provision of the Ohio Revised Code.
3. (3) “Municipal OVI ordinance” and “municipal OVI offense” mean any municipal ordinance prohibiting a person from operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them or prohibiting a person from operating a vehicle with a prohibited concentration of alcohol, a controlled substance, or a metabolite of a controlled substance in the whole blood, blood serum, or plasma, breath or urine.
4. (4) “Community residential sanction”, “continuous alcohol monitoring”, “jail”, “mandatory prison term”, “mandatory term of local incarceration”, “sanction” and “prison term” have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 2929.01.
5. (5) “Drug of abuse” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 4506.01.
6. (6) “Equivalent offense that is vehicle-related” means an equivalent offense that is any of the following:
  1. (A) A violation described in subsection (q)(1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) hereof;
  2. (B) A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance, law of another state, or law of the United States that is substantially equivalent to division (A) or (B) of Ohio R.C. 4511.19;
  3. (C) A violation of a former law of this state that was substantially equivalent to division (A) or (B) of Ohio R.C. 4511.19.
    (ORC 4511.181)

333.02 Reckless operation; willful misconduct

(a) No person shall operate a vehicle on any street or highway without due regard for the safety of persons or property.
(b) No person shall operate a vehicle on any public or private property other than streets or highways, without due regard for the safety of persons or property.

This subsection does not apply to the competitive operation of vehicles on public or private property when the owner of such property knowingly permits such operation thereon.
(c) No person shall operate a vehicle on any street or highway in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.
(d) No person shall operate a vehicle on any public or private property other than streets or highways in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.

This subsection does not apply to the competitive operation of vehicles on public or private property when the owner of such property knowingly permits such operation thereon.
(Ord. 1983-7. Passed 3-14-83.)
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(ORC 4511.201)
(f) Whenever a person is found guilty under this section of operating a motor vehicle in violation of this section relating to reckless operation, the trial court of any court of record, in addition to or independent of all other penalties provided by law, may impose a class five suspension of the offender’s driver’s or commercial driver’s license or permit or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in division (A)(5) of Ohio R.C. 4510.02.
(ORC 4510.15)

333.03 Maximum speed limits; assured clear distance ahead

(a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater or less than is reasonable or proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface and width of the street or highway and any other conditions, and no person shall drive any motor vehicle in and upon any street or highway at a greater speed than will permit the person to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
(b) It is prima-facie lawful, in the absence of a lower limit declared or established pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4511.21 by the Ohio Director of Transportation or Council, for the operator of a motor vehicle to operate the same at a speed not exceeding the following:
1. (1)
  1. (A) Twenty miles per hour in school zones during school recess and while children are going to or leaving school during the opening or closing hours, and when twenty miles per hour school speed limit signs are erected; except, that on controlled-access highways and expressways, if the right-of-way line fence has been erected without pedestrian opening, the speed shall be governed by subsection (b)(4) hereof and on freeways, if the right-of-way line fence has been erected without pedestrian opening, the speed shall be governed by subsection (b)(7) hereof. The end of every school zone may be marked by a sign indicating the end of the zone. Nothing in this section or in the manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices shall be construed to require school zones to be indicated by signs equipped with flashing or other lights, or giving other special notice of the hours in which the school zone speed limit is in effect.
  2. (B) As used in this section, “school” means all of the following:
    1. (1) Any school chartered under Ohio R.C. 3301.16;
    2. (2) Any nonchartered school that during the preceding year filed with the Department of Education in compliance with O.A.C. § 3301-35-08, a copy of the school’s report for the parents of the school’s pupils certifying that the school meets state minimum standards for nonchartered, nontax-supported schools and presents evidence of this filing to the jurisdiction from which it is requesting the establishment of a school zone;
    3. (3) Any special elementary school that in writing requests the County Engineer to create a school zone at the location of the school. Upon receipt of such written request, the County Engineer shall create a school zone at that location by erecting appropriate signs;
    4. (4) Any preschool education program operated by an educational service center that is located on a street or highway with a speed limit of forty-five miles per hour or more, when the educational service center in writing requests that the County Engineer create a school zone at the location of that program. Upon receipt of such a written request, the County Engineer shall create a school zone at that location by erecting the appropriate signs.
  3. (C) As used in this section, “school zone” means that portion of a street or highway passing a school fronting upon the street or highway that is encompassed by projecting the school property lines to the fronting street or highway. Upon request from the Municipality for streets and highways under its jurisdiction, the Ohio Director of Transportation may extend the traditional school zone boundaries. The distances in subsections (b)(1)C.1. to 3. hereof shall not exceed 300 feet per approach per direction and are bounded by whichever of the following distances or combinations thereof the Director approves as most appropriate:
    1. (1) The distance encompassed by projecting the school building lines normal to the fronting highway and extending a distance of 300 feet on each approach direction;
    2. (2) The distance encompassed by projecting the school property lines intersecting the fronting highway and extending a distance of 300 feet on each approach direction;
    3. (3) The distance encompassed by the special marking of the pavement for a principal school pupil crosswalk plus a distance of 300 feet on each approach direction of highway;
      
      Nothing in this section shall be construed to invalidate the Director’s initial action on August 9, 1976, establishing all school zones at the traditional school zone boundaries defined by projecting school property lines, except when those boundaries are extended as provided in subsections (b)(1)A. and C. hereof.
  4. (D) As used in this subsection, “crosswalk” has the meaning given that term in Section 301.09. The Director may, upon request by resolution of Council, and upon submission by the Municipality of such engineering, traffic and other information as the Director considers necessary, designate a school zone on any portion of a State route lying within the Municipality that includes a crosswalk customarily used by children going to or leaving a school during recess and opening and closing hours, whenever the distance, as measured in a straight line, from the school property line nearest the crosswalk to the nearest point of the crosswalk is no more than 1,320 feet. Such a school zone shall include the distance encompassed by the crosswalk and extending 300 feet on each approach direction of the State route;
2. (2) Twenty-five miles per hour in all other portions of the Municipality, except on State routes outside business districts, through highways outside business districts and alleys;
3. (3) Thirty-five miles per hour on all State routes or through highways within the Municipality outside business districts, except as provided in subsections (b)(4) and (5) hereof;
4. (4) Fifty miles per hour on controlled-access highways and expressways within the Municipality, except as provided in subsections (b)(8) to (b)(12) of this section;
5. (5) Fifty miles per hour on State routes within the Municipality outside urban districts unless a lower prima-facie speed is established as further provided in this section;
6. (6) Fifteen miles per hour on all alleys within the Municipality;
7. (7) Fifty-five miles per hour on freeways with paved shoulders inside the Municipality other than freeways as provided in subsection (b)(10) and (12);
8. (8) Sixty miles per hour on rural expressways with traffic control signals and on all portions of rural divided highways, except as provided in subsections (b)(9) and (10) of this section;
9. (9) Sixty-five miles per hour on all rural expressways without traffic control signals;
10. (10) Seventy miles per hour on all rural freeways;
11. (11) Fifty-five miles per hour on all portions of freeways or expressways in congested areas as determined by the Director and that are located within a municipal corporation or within an interstate freeway outerbelt, except as provided in subsection (b)(12) of this section;
12. (12) Sixty-five miles per hour on all portions of freeways or expressways without traffic control signals in urbanized areas.
(c) It is prima-facie unlawful for any person to exceed any of the speed limitations in subsection (b)(1)A. to (b)(6) hereof, or any declared or established pursuant to this section by the Director or local authorities and it is unlawful for any person to exceed any of the speed limitations in subsection (d) hereof. No person shall be convicted of more than one violation of this section for the same conduct, although violations of more than one provision of this section may be charged in the alternative in a single affidavit.
(d) No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon a street or highway as follows:
1. (1) At a speed exceeding fifty-five miles per hour, except upon a highway, expressway or freeway as provided in subsection (b)(8), (9), (10) and (12) hereof;
2. (2) At a speed exceeding sixty miles per hour upon a highway as provided in subsection (b)(8) hereof;
3. (3) At a speed exceeding sixty-five miles per hour upon an expressway as provided in subsection (b)(9) hereof, or upon a freeway as provided in subsection (b)(12) of this section, except upon a freeway as provided in subsection (b)(10) hereof;
4. (4) At a speed exceeding seventy miles per hour upon a freeway as provided in subsection (b)(10) hereof;
5. (5) At a speed exceeding the posted speed limit upon a highway, expressway or freeway for which the Director has determined and declared a speed limit pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4511.21(I)(2) or (L)(2).
(e) In every charge of violation of this section the affidavit and warrant shall specify the time, place and speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven, and in charges made in reliance upon subsection (c) hereof also the speed which subsections (b)(1)A. to (b)(6) hereof, or a limit declared or established pursuant to this section declares is prima-facie lawful at the time and place of such alleged violation, except that in affidavits where a person is alleged to have driven at a greater speed than will permit the person to bring the vehicle to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead the affidavit and warrant need not specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven.
(f) When a speed in excess of both a prima-facie limitation and a limitation in subsection (d) hereof is alleged, the defendant shall be charged in a single affidavit, alleging a single act, with a violation indicated of both subsections (b)(1)A. to (b)(6) hereof, or of a limit declared or established pursuant to this section by the Director or local authorities, and of the limitation in subsection (d) hereof. If the court finds a violation of subsection (b)(1)A. to (b)(6) hereof, or a limit declared or established pursuant to this section has occurred, it shall enter a judgment of conviction under such subsection and dismiss the charge under subsection (d) hereof. If it finds no violation of subsections (b)(1)A. to (b)(6) hereof or a limit declared or established pursuant to this section, it shall then consider whether the evidence supports a conviction under subsection (d) hereof.
(g) Points shall be assessed for violation of a limitation under subsection (d) hereof in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4510.036.
(h) Whenever, in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4511.21 or this section, the speed limitations as established herein have been altered, either higher or lower, and the appropriate signs giving notice have been erected as required, operators of motor vehicles shall be governed by the speed limitations set forth on such signs. It is prima-facie unlawful for any person to exceed the speed limits posted upon such signs.
(i) As used in this section:
1. (1) “Interstate system” has the same meaning as in 23 U.S.C.A. 101.
2. (2) “Commercial bus” means a motor vehicle designed for carrying more than nine passengers and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.
3. (3) “Noncommercial bus” includes but is not limited to a school bus, or a motor vehicle operated solely for the transportation of persons associated with a charitable or nonprofit organization.
4. (4) “Outerbelt” means a portion of a freeway that is part of the interstate system and is located in the outer vicinity of a major municipal corporation or group of municipal corporations, as designated by the Director.
5. (5) “Rural” means an area outside urbanized areas and outside of a business or urban district, and areas that extend within urbanized areas where the roadway characteristics remain mostly unchanged from those outside the urbanized areas.
6. (6) “Urbanized area” has the same meaning as in 23 U.S.C. 101.
7. (7) “Divided” means a roadway having two or more travel lanes for vehicles moving in opposite directions and that is separated by a median of more than four feet, excluding turn lanes.
(j)
1. (1) A violation of any provision of this section is one of the following:
  1. (A) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (j)(1)B., (1)C., (2) and (3) of this section, a minor misdemeanor;
  2. (B) If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two violations of any provision of this section or of any provision of Ohio R.C. 4511.21 or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to any provision of this section, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree;
  3. (C) If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to three or more violations of any provision of this section or of any provision of Ohio R.C. 4511.21 or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to any provision of this section, a misdemeanor of the third degree.
2. (2) If the offender has not previously been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of any provision of Ohio R.C. 4511.21 or of any provision of a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to Ohio R.C. 4511.21 and operated a motor vehicle faster than thirty-five miles an hour in a business district of a municipal corporation, faster than fifty miles an hour in other portions of a municipal corporation, or faster than thirty-five miles an hour in a school zone during recess or while children are going to or leaving school during the school’s opening or closing hours, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
3. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (j)(1) of this section, if the offender operated a motor vehicle in a construction zone where a sign was then posted in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4511.98, the court, in addition to all other penalties provided by law, shall impose upon the offender a fine of two times the usual amount imposed for the violation. No court shall impose a fine of two times the usual amount imposed for the violation upon an offender if the offender alleges, in an affidavit filed with the court prior to the offender’s sentencing, that the offender is indigent and is unable to pay the fine imposed pursuant to this subsection and if the court determines that the offender is an indigent person and unable to pay the fine.
4. (4) If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under Section 303.991 of the Traffic Code.
  (ORC 4511.21)

333.031 Approaching a stationary public safety, emergency or road service vehicle

(a) The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary public safety vehicle, emergency vehicle, road service vehicle, waste collection vehicle, vehicle used by the Public Utilities Commission to conduct motor vehicle inspections in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4923.04 and 4923.06 or a highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying the appropriate visual signals by means of flashing, oscillating or rotating lights, as prescribed in Section 337.16, shall do either of the following:
1. (1) If the driver of the motor vehicle is traveling on a street or highway that consists of at least two lanes that carry traffic in the same direction of travel as that of the driver’s motor vehicle, the driver shall proceed with due caution and, if possible with due regard to the road, weather, and traffic conditions, shall change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to that of the stationary public safety vehicle, emergency vehicle, road service vehicle, waste collection vehicle, vehicle used by the Public Utilities Commission to conduct motor vehicle inspections in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4923.04 and 4923.06 or a highway maintenance vehicle.
2. (2) If the driver is not traveling on a street or highway of a type described in subsection (a)(1) of this section, or if the driver is traveling on a highway of that type but it is not possible to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle, and maintain a safe speed for the road, weather and traffic conditions.
(b) This section does not relieve the driver of a public safety vehicle, emergency vehicle, road service vehicle, waste collection vehicle, vehicle used by the Public Utilities Commission to conduct motor vehicle inspections in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4923.04 and 4923.06, or a highway maintenance vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property upon the highway.
(c) No person shall fail to drive a motor vehicle in compliance with subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section when so required by subsection (a) of this section.
(d)
1. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
2. (2) Notwithstanding Section 303.99(b), upon a finding that a person operated a motor vehicle in violation of subsection (c) of this section, the court, in addition to all other penalties provided by law, shall impose a fine of two times the usual amount imposed for the violation.
3. (3) If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under Section 303.991 of the Traffic Code.
(e) The offense established under this section is a strict liability offense and Ohio R.C. 2901.20 does not apply. The designation of this offense as a strict liability offense shall not be construed to imply that any other offense, for which there is no specified degree of culpability, is not a strict liability offense.
(ORC 4511.213)

333.04 Stopping vehicle; slow speed; posted minimum speeds

(a) No person shall stop or operate a vehicle at such an unreasonably slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when stopping or reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or to comply with law.
(b) Whenever, in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4511.22(B), the minimum speed limit of a controlled-access highway, expressway or freeway has been declared and the appropriate signs giving notice have been erected as required, operators of motor vehicles shall be governed by the speed limitations set forth on such signs. No person shall operate a motor vehicle below the speed limits posted upon such signs except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
(c) In a case involving a violation of this section, the trier of fact, in determining whether the vehicle was being operated at an unreasonably slow speed, shall consider the capabilities of the vehicle and its operator.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under Section 303.991 of the Traffic Code.
(ORC 4511.22)

333.05 Speed limitations over bridges

(a) No person shall operate a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a street at a speed which is greater then the maximum speed that can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, when such structure is posted with authorized signs stating such maximum speed. Such signs shall be erected and maintained at a distance of at least 100 feet before each end of such structure.
(b) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of this section, proof of the determination of the maximum speed and the existence of such signs shall constitute prima-facie evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under Section 303.991 of the Traffic Code.
(ORC 4511.23)

333.06 Speed exceptions for emergency or safety vehicles

The prima-facie speed limitations set forth in Section 333.03 do not apply to emergency vehicles or public safety vehicles when they are responding to emergency calls and are equipped with and displaying at least one flashing, rotating or oscillating light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle and when the drivers thereof sound audible signals by bell, siren or exhaust whistle. This section does not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the street or highway.
(ORC 4511.24)

333.07 Street racing prohibited

(a) As used in this section, “street racing” means the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to out-distance each other or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point to the same point, wherein timing is made of the participating vehicles involving competitive accelerations or speeds.

Persons rendering assistance in any manner to such competitive use of vehicles shall be equally charged as the participants. The operation of two or more vehicles side by side either at speeds in excess of prima-facie lawful speeds established by Section 333.03 or rapidly accelerating from a common starting point to a speed in excess of such prima-facie lawful speeds shall be prima-facie evidence of street racing.
(b) No person shall participate in street racing upon any public road, street or highway in this Municipality.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of street racing, a misdemeanor of the first degree. In addition to any other sanctions, the court shall suspend the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license or nonresident operating privilege for not less than thirty days or more than three years. No judge shall suspend the first thirty days of any suspension of an offender’s license, permit, or privilege imposed under this subsection.
(ORC 4511.251)

333.08 Operation in violation of immobilization order

(a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle or permit the operation of a motor vehicle upon any public or private property used by the public for vehicular travel or parking knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the motor vehicle has been ordered immobilized pursuant to an immobilization order issued under Ohio R.C. 4503.233.
(b) A motor vehicle that is operated by a person during a violation of subsection (a) hereof shall be criminally forfeited in accordance with the procedures contained in Ohio R.C. 4503.234.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree.
(ORC 4503.236)

333.09 Electronic wireless communications device regulations

(a) Definitions. As used in this section:
1. (1) “Electronic wireless communications device” means a portable electronic device capable of transmitting and/or receiving data and includes the following: a wireless telephone; a text-messaging device; a personal digital assistant; and a computer, including a laptop computer and a computer tablet.
2. (2) “Text message” means a message sent or received via a process using wireless handsets. For the purposes of this section, an e-mail shall be considered a “text message”.
3. (3) “Voice operated or hands-free device” means a device that allows the user to vocally compose or send, or listen to a text-based communication without the use of either hand except to activate or deactivate a feature or function.
(b) No person shall use an electronic wireless communications device in any manner while driving a motor vehicle in the Village, including composing, sending or receiving text messages and using an electronic wireless communications device to dial, answer, talk or listen unless such use is otherwise authorized in subsection (c).
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, this section shall not apply when:
1. (1) A driver is using an electronic wireless communications device to contact any law enforcement agency, police officers, emergency services personnel, emergency medical technicians or fire safety officials to report an emergency situation;
2. (2) A driver is using an electronic wireless communications device inside a motor vehicle when such vehicle is parked, standing or stopped and is removed from the flow of traffic, in accordance with applicable laws or rules, and is stopped due to the inoperability of such vehicle;
3. (3) A driver is using a voice operated or hands-free device which allows the driver to maintain both hands on the vehicle’s steering device while the vehicle is operating; or
4. (4) Safety and public service personnel, employed by a governmental agency, are using electronic wireless communications devices in the course of their work.
  (Ord. 2015-03. Passed 3-9-15.)