§ 72.039 PEDESTRIAN ON CROSSWALK HAS RIGHT-OF-WAY.

   (A)   When traffic-control signals are not in place, not in operation, or are not clearly assigning the right-of-way, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, or if required by R.C. § 4511.132 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

   (B)   No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.

   (C)   Division (A) of this section does not apply under the conditions stated in R.C. § 4511.48(B), or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.

   (D)   Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

   (E)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, 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.

   (F)   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 § 70.99(B).

(R.C. § 4511.46) (Rev. 2019)

§ 72.040 RIGHT-OF-WAY YIELDED TO BLIND PERSON.

   (A)   (1)   As used in this section BLIND PERSON or BLIND PEDESTRIAN means a person having not more than 20/200 visual acuity in the better eye with correcting lenses, or visual acuity greater than 20/200, but with a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.

      (2)   The driver of every vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to every blind pedestrian guided by a guide dog, or carrying a cane which is predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip.

   (B)   No person, other than a blind person, while on any public highway, street, alley, or other public thoroughfare, shall carry a white or metallic cane, with or without a red tip.

   (C)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, 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.

   (D)   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 § 70.99(B).

(R.C. § 4511.47) (Rev. 2019)

§ 72.041 RIGHT-OF-WAY YIELDED BY PEDESTRIAN.

   (A)   Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

   (B)   Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic upon the roadway.

   (C)   Between adjacent intersections at which traffic- control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.

   (D)   No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; and when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.

   (E)   This section does not relieve the operator of a vehicle from exercising due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway.

   (F)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, 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.

(R.C. § 4511.48) (Rev. 2004)

PEDESTRIANS

§ 72.055 PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT IN CROSSWALKS.

   (A)   Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks.

   (B)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, 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.

(R.C. § 4511.49) (Rev. 2004)

§ 72.056 PEDESTRIAN WALKING ALONG HIGHWAY.

   (A)   Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.

   (B)   Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder, as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway.

   (C)   Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway, and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway.

   (D)   Except as otherwise provided in R.C. §§ 4511.13 and 4511.46, or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinances, any pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

   (E)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, 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.

(R.C. § 4511.50) (Rev. 2004)

§ 72.057 PROHIBITION AGAINST SOLICITING RIDES; RIDING ON OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE.

   (A)   No person while on a roadway outside a safety zone shall solicit a ride from the driver of any vehicle.

   (B)   (1)   Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, no person shall stand on a highway for the purpose of soliciting employment, business, or contributions from the occupant of any vehicle.

      (2)   The Legislative Authority, by ordinance, may authorize the issuance of a permit to a charitable organization to allow a person acting on behalf of the organization to solicit charitable contributions from the occupant of a vehicle by standing on a highway, other than a freeway as provided in R.C. § 4511.051(A)(1), that is under the jurisdiction of the municipality. The permit shall be valid for only one period of time, which shall be specified in the permit, in any calendar year. The Legislative Authority also may specify the locations where contributions may be solicited and may impose any other restrictions on or requirements regarding the manner in which the solicitations are to be conducted that the Legislative Authority considers advisable.

      (3)   As used in division (B)(2) of this section, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION means an organization that has received from the Internal Revenue Service a currently valid ruling or determination letter recognizing the tax-exempt status of the organization pursuant to IRC § 501(c)(3).

   (C)   No person shall hang onto or ride on the outside of any motor vehicle while it is moving upon a roadway, except mechanics or test engineers making repairs or adjustments, or workers performing specialized highway or street maintenance or construction under authority of a public agency.

   (D)   No operator shall knowingly permit any person to hang onto or ride on the outside of any motor vehicle while it is moving upon a roadway, except mechanics or test engineers making repairs or adjustments, or workers performing specialized highway or street maintenance or construction under authority of a public agency.

   (E)   No driver of a truck, trailer, or semitrailer shall knowingly permit any person who has not attained the age of 16 years to ride in the unenclosed or unroofed cargo storage area of the driver’s vehicle if the vehicle is traveling faster than 25 miles per hour, unless either of the following applies:

      (1)   The cargo storage area of the vehicle is equipped with a properly secured seat to which is attached a seat safety belt that is in compliance with federal standards for an occupant restraining device as defined in R.C. § 4513.263(A)(2), the seat and seat safety belt were installed at the time the vehicle was originally assembled, and the person riding in the cargo storage area is in the seat and is wearing the seat safety belt; or

      (2)   An emergency exists that threatens the life of the driver or the person being transported in the cargo storage area of the truck, trailer, or semitrailer.

   (F)   No driver of a truck, trailer, or semitrailer shall permit any person, except for those workers performing specialized highway or street maintenance or construction under authority of a public agency, to ride in the cargo storage area or on a tailgate of the driver’s vehicle while the tailgate is unlatched.

   (G)   (1)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates any provision of divisions (A) through (D) of 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 any provision of divisions (A) through (D) of 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 any provision of divisions (A) through (D) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

      (2)   Whoever violates division (E) or (F) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(R.C. § 4511.51) (Rev. 2004)