331.44 DRIVING UPON SIDEWALKS, STREET LAWNS OR CURBS.

   (a)   (1)   No person shall drive any vehicle, other than a bicycle or an electric bicycle if the motor is not engaged, upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.

      (2)    This prohibition does not apply to a law enforcement officer, or other person sworn to enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, using an electric bicycle with the motor engaged while in the performance of the officer’s duties.

      (3)    Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting local authorities from regulating the operation of bicycles or electric bicycles, except that no local authority may require that bicycles or electric bicycles be operated on sidewalks. (ORC 4511.711(A))

   (b)   No person shall drive a vehicle on a street lawn area or the curb of a street, except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway or when otherwise lawfully authorized.

   (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 4511.711)

331.45 OBSTRUCTING PASSAGE OF OTHER VEHICLES.

   (a)   No driver shall enter an intersection or marked crosswalk or drive onto any railroad grade crossing unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection, crosswalk or grade crossing to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles, pedestrians or railroad trains, notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication to proceed. (Ord. 7-83. Passed 3-21-83.)

   (b)   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 4511.712)

331.46 DRIVING UPON STREET WHILE IN PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION.

   No person shall drive upon, along or across a street or highway, or any part thereof, which has been closed in the process of its construction, reconstruction or repair, and posted with appropriate signs by the authority having jurisdiction to close such street or highway.

(ORC 4511.71; Ord. 7-83. Passed 3-21-83.)

331.47 FOLLOWING OR PARKING NEAR EMERGENCY OR SAFETY VEHICLE.

   (a)   The driver of any vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle on official business, shall not follow any emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle traveling in response to an alarm closer than 500 feet, or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm, unless directed to do so by a police officer or a firefighter.

   (b)   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 4511.72)

331.48 DRIVING OVER UNPROTECTED FIRE HOSE.

   (a)   No vehicle shall without consent of the Fire Department official in command be driven over any unprotected hose of the Fire Department when such hose is laid down on any street or private driveway to be used at any fire or alarm of fire. (Ord. 7-83. Passed 3-21-83.)

   (b)   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 4511.73)