The provisions of this Traffic Code do not apply to persons, teams, motor vehicles and other equipment while actually engaged in work upon the surface of a street or highway within an area designated by traffic control devices, but apply to such persons and vehicles when traveling to or from such work.
The drivers of snow plows, traffic line stripers, road sweepers, mowing machines, tar distributing vehicles and other vehicles utilized in snow and ice removal or road surface maintenance, while engaged in work upon a street or highway, provided such vehicles are equipped with flashing lights and such other markings as are required by law, and such lights are in operation when the vehicles are so engaged, shall be exempt from criminal prosecution for violations of Sections 432.01 to 432.04, inclusive, 432.06 to 432.08, inclusive, 432.29, 434.04 and 452.01. Such exemption shall not apply to such drivers when their vehicles are not so engaged. This section shall not exempt a driver of such equipment from civil liability arising from the violations of the sections referred to herein.
(ORC 4511.04)