(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) hereof, no vehicle shall turn left as to make U or J type turns upon any City street or highway (except at the "dead end" of a "no outlet" or "dead end" street) so as to proceed or park in the opposite direction. No person shall back from a parking space and cross the center of a street or highway in a reverse U or J turn fashion in order to proceed in the opposite direction.
(b) Subsection (a) hereof does not apply to drivers of an emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle when responding to an emergency call or while attempting to enforce laws of this City or State. However, if the emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle makes a U or J turn so as to proceed or park in the opposite direction upon any curve or the approach to or near a crest of a grade, then the emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle must be 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 the driver of the vehicle must give an audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell. This subsection 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 and property upon the highway.
(Ord. 82-94. Passed 9-19-94.)
(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 4511.37)