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(a) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with two or more stop lights, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1967, motorcycles, and motor-driven cycles shall be equipped with at least one stop light. Stop lights shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle, actuated upon application of the service brake, and may be incorporated with other rear lights. Such stop lights when actuated shall emit a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear; provided that in the case of a train of vehicles only the stop lights on the rearmost vehicle need be visible from the distance specified.
(b) Such stop lights when actuated shall give a steady warning light to the rear of a vehicle or train of vehicles to indicate the intention of the operator to diminish the speed of or stop a vehicle or train of vehicles.
(c) When stop lights are used as required by this section, they shall be constructed or installed so as to provide adequate and reliable illumination and shall conform to the appropriate rules and regulations established under Ohio R.C. 4513.19.
(d) Historical motor vehicles as defined in Ohio R.C. 4503.181, not originally manufactured with stop lights, are not subject to this section.
(ORC 4513.071) (Ord. 1973-88. Passed 12-26-73; Ord. 2002-19. Passed 5-13-02.)
(a) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) “Gross vehicle weight rating” means the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating established for that vehicle.
(2) “Manufacturer” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 4501.01.
(3) “Multipurpose passenger vehicle” means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a motorcycle, designed to carry ten persons or less, that is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.
(4) “Passenger car” means any motor vehicle with motive power, designed for carrying ten persons or less, except a multipurpose passenger vehicle or motorcycle.
(5) “Truck” means every motor vehicle, except trailers and semitrailers, designed and used to carry property and having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.
(b) Rules adopted by the Director of Public Safety, in accordance with Ohio R.C. Chapter 119, shall govern the maximum bumper height or, in the absence of bumpers and in cases where bumper height have been lowered or modified, the maximum height to the bottom of the frame rail of any passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck.
(c) No person shall operate upon a street or highway any passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck registered in this State that does not conform to the requirements of this section or any applicable rule adopted pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4513.021.
(d) No person shall modify any motor vehicle registered in this State in such a manner as to cause the vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the ground, expose the fuel tank to damage from collision, or cause the wheels to come in contact with the body under normal operation, and no person shall disconnect any part of the original suspension system of the vehicle to defeat the safe operation of that system.
(e) Nothing contained in this section or in the rules adopted pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4513.021 shall be construed to prohibit either of the following:
(1) The installation upon a passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck registered in this State of heavy duty equipment, including shock absorbers and overload springs.
(2) The operation on a street or highway of a passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck registered in this State with normal wear to the suspension system if the normal wear does not adversely affect the control of the vehicle.
(f) This section and the rules adopted pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4513.021 do not apply to any specially designed or modified passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck when operated off a street or highway in races and similar events.
(ORC 4513.021)
Statutory reference:
Maximum height on bumpers, see O.A.C. Chapter 4501-43
(a) When any child who is in either or both of the following categories is being transported in a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or public safety vehicle as defined in Ohio R.C. 4511.01, that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts at the time of manufacture or assembly, the operator of the motor vehicle shall have the child properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in a child restraint system that meets Federal motor vehicle safety standards:
(1) A child who is less than four years of age;
(2) A child who weighs less than 40 pounds.
(b) When any child who is in either or both of the following categories is being transported in a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, that is owned, leased, or otherwise under the control of a nursery school or day-care center, the operator of the motor vehicle shall have the child properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in a child restraint system that meets Federal motor vehicle safety standards:
(1) A child who is less than four years of age;
(2) A child who weighs less than 40 pounds.
(c) When any child who is less than eight years of age and less than four feet nine inches in height, who is not required by division (a) or (b) of this section to be secured in a child restraint system, is being transported in a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or public safety vehicle as defined in Ohio R.C. 4511.01 or a vehicle that is regulated under Ohio R.C. 5104.011, that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts at the time of manufacture or assembly, the operator of the motor vehicle shall have the child properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions on a booster seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.
(d) When any child who is at least eight years of age but not older than 15 years of age, and who is not otherwise required by division (a), (b), or (c) of this section to be secured in a child restraint system or booster seat, is being transported in a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or public safety vehicle as defined in Ohio R.C. 4511.01, that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts at the time of manufacture or assembly, the operator of the motor vehicle shall have the child properly restrained either in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in a child restraint system that meets Federal motor vehicle safety standards or in an occupant restraining device as defined in Ohio R.C. 4513.263.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no law enforcement officer shall cause an operator of a motor vehicle being operated on any street or highway to stop the motor vehicle for the sole purpose of determining whether a violation of division (c) or (d) of this section has been or is being committed or for the sole purpose of issuing a ticket, citation, or summons for a violation of division (c) or (d) of this section or causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution of a person for a violation of division (c) or (d) of this section, and absent another violation of law, a law enforcement officer's view of the interior or visual inspection of a motor vehicle being operated on any street or highway may not be used for the purpose of determining whether a violation of division (c) or (d) of this section has been or is being committed.
(f) The Director of Public Safety shall adopt such rules as are necessary to carry out this section.
(g) The failure of an operator of a motor vehicle to secure a child in a child restraint system, a booster seat, or an occupant restraining device as required by this section is not negligence imputable to the child, is not admissible as evidence in any civil action involving the rights of the child against any other person allegedly liable for injuries to the child, is not to be used as a basis for a criminal prosecution of the operator of the motor vehicle other than a prosecution for a violation of this section, and is not admissible as evidence in any criminal action involving the operator of the motor vehicle other than a prosecution for a violation of this section.
(h) This section does not apply when an emergency exists that threatens the life of any person operating or occupying a motor vehicle that is being used to transport a child who otherwise would be required to be restrained under this section. This section does not apply to a person operating a motor vehicle who has an affidavit signed by a physician licensed to practice in this state under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4731 or a chiropractor licensed to practice in this State under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4734 that states that the child who otherwise would be required to be restrained under this section has a physical impairment that makes use of a child restraint system, booster seat, or an occupant restraining device impossible or impractical, provided that the person operating the vehicle has safely and appropriately restrained the child in accordance with any recommendations of the physician or chiropractor as noted on the affidavit.
(i) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any person to carry with the person the birth certificate of a child to prove the age of the child, but the production of a valid birth certificate for a child showing that the child was not of an age to which this section applies is a defense against any ticket, citation, or summons issued for violating this section.
(j) (1) Whoever violates division (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section shall be punished as follows, provided that the failure of an operator of a motor vehicle to secure more than one child in a child restraint system, booster seat, or occupant restraining device as required by this section that occurred at the same time, on the same day, and at the same location is deemed to be a single violation of this section:
A. Except as otherwise provided in division (j)(1)B. of this section, the offender is guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than seventy-five dollars ($75.00).
B. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section or of a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to any of those divisions, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(2) All fines imposed pursuant to division (j)(1) of this section shall be forwarded to the Treasurer of State for deposit in the “child highway safety fund”.
(Ord. 2007-16. Passed 9-10-07; Ord. 2009-22. Passed 10-26-09.)
(a) No person shall operate any motor vehicle owned, leased or hired by a nursery school, kindergarten or child care center, while transporting preschool children to or from such an institution, unless the motor vehicle is equipped with and displaying two amber flashing lights mounted on a bar attached to the top of the vehicle, and a sign bearing the designation "caution — children," which shall be attached to the bar carrying the amber flashing lights in such a manner as to be legible to persons both in front of and behind the vehicle. The lights and sign shall meet standards and specifications adopted by the Ohio Director of Public Safety.
(b) No person shall operate a motor vehicle displaying the lights and sign required by this section for any purpose other than the transportation of preschool children as provided in this section.
(ORC 4513.182)
(a) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) “Automobile” means any commercial tractor, passenger car, commercial car, or truck that is required to be factory-equipped with an occupant restraining device for the operator or any passenger by regulations adopted by the United States Secretary of Transportation pursuant to the “National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966,” 80 Stat. 719, 15 U.S.C. 1392.
(2) “Commercial tractor,” “passenger car,” and “commercial car” have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 4501.01.
(3) “Occupant restraining device” means a seat safety belt, shoulder belt, harness, or other safety device for restraining a person who is an operator of or passenger in an automobile and that satisfies the minimum Federal vehicle safety standards established by the United States Department of Transportation.
(4) “Passenger” means any person in an automobile, other than its operator, who is occupying a seating position for which an occupant restraining device is provided.
(5) “Tort action” means a civil action for damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property. “Tort action” includes a product liability claim, as defined in Ohio R.C. 2307.71, and as asbestos claim, as defined in Ohio R.C. 2307.91, but does not include a civil action for damages for breach of contract or another agreement between persons.
(6) “Vehicle” and “motor vehicle,” as used in the definitions of the terms set forth above, have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 4511.01.
(b) Prohibited Acts. No person shall do any of the following:
(1) Operate an automobile on any street or highway unless he or she is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device, or operate a school bus that has an occupant restraining device installed for use in its operator's seat unless he or she is wearing all of the available elements of the device, as properly adjusted.
(2) Operate an automobile on any street or highway unless each passenger in the automobile who is subject to the requirement set forth in division (b)(3) of this section is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device.
(3) Occupy, as a passenger, a seating position on the front seat of an automobile being operated on any street or highway unless he or she is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device.
(4) Operate a taxicab on any street or highway unless all factory-equipped occupant restraining devices in the taxicab are maintained in usable form.
(c) Exceptions.
(1) Division (b)(3) of this section does not apply to a person who is required by R.C. § 4511.81 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance to be secured in a child restraint device or booster seat.
(2) Division (b)(1) of this section does not apply to a person who is an employee of the United States Postal Service or of a newspaper home delivery service, during any period in which the person is engaged in the operation of an automobile to deliver mail or newspapers to addressees.
(3) Divisions (b)(1) and (b)(3) of this section do not apply to a person who has an affidavit signed by a physician licensed to practice in this state under R.C. Chapter 4731 or a chiropractor licensed to practice in this state under R.C. Chapter 4734 that states the following:
A. That the person has a physical impairment that makes use of an occupant restraining device impossible or impractical;
B. Whether the physical impairment is temporary, permanent, or reasonably expected to be permanent;
C. If the physical impairment is temporary, how long the physical impairment is expected to make the use of an occupant restraining device impossible or impractical.
(4) Divisions (b)(1) and (b)(3) of this section do not apply to a person who has registered with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in accordance with division (c)(5) of this section.
(5) A person who has received an affidavit under division (c)(3) of this section stating that the person has a permanent or reasonably expected to be permanent physical impairment that makes use of an occupant restraining device impossible or impracticable may register with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles attesting to that fact. Upon such registration, the Registrar shall make that information available in the law enforcement automated data system. A person included in the database under division (c)(5) of this section is not required to have the affidavit obtained in accordance with division (c)(3) of this section in their possession while operating or occupying an automobile.
(6) A physician or chiropractor who issues an affidavit for the purposes of division (c)(3) or (c)(4) of this section is immune from civil liability arising from any injury or death sustained by the person who was issued the affidavit due to the failure of the person to wear an occupant restraining device unless the physician or chiropractor, in issuing the affidavit, acted in a manner that constituted willful, wanton, or reckless misconduct.
(7) The Registrar of Motor Vehicles shall adopt rules in accordance with R.C. Chapter 119 establishing a process for a person to be included in the database under division (c)(5) of this section. The information provided and included in the database under division (c)(5) of this section is not a public record subject to inspection or copying under R.C. § 149.43.
(d) Officers Not Permitted to Stop Cars to Determine Violation. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no law enforcement officer shall cause an operator of an automobile being operated on any street or highway to stop the automobile for the sole purpose of determining whether a violation of division (b) of this section has been or is being committed or for the sole purpose of issuing a ticket, citation, or summons for the violation or for causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution of a person for the violation. No law enforcement officer shall view the interior or visually inspect any automobile being operated on any street or highway for the sole purpose of determining whether the violation has been or is being committed.
(e) Use of Fines for Educational Program. All fines collected for violations of division (b) of this section shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer for deposit in the funds as set forth in Ohio R.C. 4513.263(E).
(f) Limitations on Evidence Used for Prosecution.
(1) Subject to division (f)(2) of this section, the failure of a person to wear all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device in violation of division (b)(1) or (b)(3) of this section or the failure of a person to ensure that each minor who is a passenger of an automobile being operated by that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device in violation of division (b)(2) of this section shall not be considered or used by the trier of fact in a tort action as evidence of negligence or contributory negligence. But, the trier of fact may determine based on evidence admitted consistent with the Ohio Rules of Evidence that the failure contributed to the harm alleged in the tort action and may diminish a recovery of compensatory damages that represents non-economic loss, as defined in Ohio R.C. 2307.011, in a tort action that could have been recovered but for the plaintiff’s failure to wear all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device. Evidence of that failure shall not be used as a basis for a criminal prosecution of the person other than a prosecution for a violation of this section; and shall not be admissible as evidence in a criminal action involving the person other than a prosecution for a violation of this section.
(2) If, at the time of an accident involving a passenger car equipped with occupant restraining devices, any occupant of the passenger car who sustained injury or death was not wearing an available occupant restraining device, was not wearing all of the available elements of such a device, or was not wearing such a device as properly adjusted, then, consistent with the Rules of Evidence, the fact that the occupant was not wearing the available occupant restraining device, was not wearing all of the available elements of such a device, or was not wearing such a device as properly adjusted is admissible in evidence in relation to any claim for relief in a tort action to the extent that the claim for relief satisfies all of the following:
A. It seeks to recover damages for injury or death to the occupant;
B. The defendant in question is the manufacturer, designer, distributor, or seller of the passenger car;
C. The claim for relief against the defendant in question is that the injury or death sustained by the occupant was enhanced or aggravated by some design defect in the passenger car or that the passenger car was not crashworthy.
(g) Penalty.
(1) Whoever violates division (b)(1) of this section shall be fined thirty dollars ($30.00).
(2) Whoever violates division (b)(2) of this section shall be subject to the penalty set forth in Section 303.99.
(3) Whoever violates division (b)(3) of this section shall be fined twenty dollars ($20.00).
(4) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (b)(4) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (b)(4) of this section, whoever violates division (b)(4) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(ORC 4513.263)
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