(a) No person shall drive or move, or cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved, on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of this section or Ohio R.C. 4513.02(A), whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(ORC 4513.02(A), (H))