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Shawnee Hills Overview
Codified Ordinances of Shawnee Hills, OH
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF SHAWNEE HILLS, OHIO
CERTIFICATION
ROSTER OF OFFICIALS
ADOPTING ORDINANCE No.06-96
EDITOR'S NOTE
COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE
TITLE ONE - Administration
TITLE THREE - Streets and Traffic Control Devices
TITLE FIVE - Vehicles
CHAPTER 331 Operation Generally
CHAPTER 333 OVI; Willful Misconduct; Speed
CHAPTER 335 Licensing; Accidents
CHAPTER 337 Safety and Equipment
337.01 DRIVING UNSAFE VEHICLES.
337.02 LIGHTED LIGHTS; MEASUREMENT OF DISTANCES AND HEIGHTS.
337.03 HEADLIGHTS ON MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES.
337.04 TAIL LIGHT; ILLUMINATION OF REAR LICENSE PLATE.
337.05 REAR RED REFLECTORS.
337.06 SAFETY LIGHTING ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES.
337.07 OBSCURED LIGHTS ON VEHICLES IN COMBINATION.
337.08 RED LIGHT OR RED FLAG ON EXTENDED LOADS.
337.09 LIGHTS ON PARKED OR STOPPED VEHICLES.
337.10 LIGHTS, EMBLEMS AND REFLECTORS ON SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES, FARM MACHINERY, AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS, AND ANIMAL-DRAWN VEHICLES.
337.11 SPOTLIGHT AND AUXILIARY LIGHTS.
337.12 COWL, FENDER AND BACK-UP LIGHTS.
337.13 DISPLAY OF LIGHTED LIGHTS.
337.14 USE OF HEADLIGHT BEAMS.
337.15 LIGHTS OF LESS INTENSITY ON SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES.
337.16 NUMBER OF LIGHTS; LIMITATIONS ON FLASHING, OSCILLATING OR ROTATING LIGHTS.
337.17 FOCUS AND AIM OF HEADLIGHTS.
337.18 MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTORCYCLE BRAKES.
337.19 HORN, SIREN AND THEFT ALARM SIGNAL.
337.20 MUFFLER; MUFFLER CUTOUT; EXCESSIVE SMOKE, GAS OR NOISE.
337.21 REAR-VIEW MIRROR; CLEAR VIEW TO FRONT, BOTH SIDES AND REAR.
337.22 WINDSHIELD AND WINDSHIELD WIPER; SIGN OR POSTER THEREON.
337.23 LIMITED LOAD EXTENSION ON LEFT SIDE OF PASSENGER VEHICLE.
337.24 MOTOR VEHICLE STOP LIGHTS.
337.25 AIR CLEANER REQUIRED.
337.26 CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM USAGE.
337.27 DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS REQUIRED TO WEAR SEAT BELTS.
337.28 USE OF SUNSCREENING, NONTRANSPARENT AND REFLECTORIZED MATERIALS.
337.29 BUMPER HEIGHTS.
337.30 DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS REQUIRED.
337.31 LIGHTS AND SIGN ON TRANSPORTATION FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN.
CHAPTER 339 Commercial and Heavy Vehicles
CHAPTER 341 Commercial Drivers
TITLE SEVEN - Parking
TITLE NINE - Pedestrians, Bicycles and Motorcycles
PART FIVE - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
PART NINE - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
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337.24 MOTOR VEHICLE STOP LIGHTS.
   (a)   Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer when operated upon a street or 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 five hundred feet to the rear, provided that in the case of a train of vehicles only the stop lights on the rear-most vehicle need be visible from the distance specified.
   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.
   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.
   Historical motor vehicles as defined in Ohio R.C. 4503.181, not originally manufactured with stop lights, are not subject to this section.
   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.071)
337.25 AIR CLEANER REQUIRED.
   (a)   No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine unless the carburetion system of the vehicle is protected with an air filter, a flame arresting device, or any other accepted method of protection that is adequate for this purpose. If the original device or system is replaced, it shall be replaced with one that is equal to or better than the original equipment.
   (b)   This section does not apply to a person doing automotive repair work on a motor vehicle that necessitates this device being removed while the work is performed.
   (c)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
337.26 CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM USAGE.
   (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 safety standards:
      (1)   A child who is less than four years of age;
      (2)   A child who weighs less than forty 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 child 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 forty 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 subsection (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 fifteen years of age and who is not otherwise required by subsection (a), (b) or (c) hereof 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 subsection (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 subsection (c) or (d) of this section or causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution of a person for a violation of subsection (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 subsection (c) or (d) of this section has been or is being committed.
   (f)   The Ohio 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)   Whoever violates subsection (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:
      (1)   Except as otherwise provided in subsection (j)(2) 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).
      (2)   If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this section or of a state law or municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to any of those subsections, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
         (ORC 4511.81)
337.27 DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS REQUIRED TO WEAR SEAT BELTS.
   (a)   As used in this section:
      (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.A. 1392.
      (2)   "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.
      (3)   "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.
      (4)   "Commercial tractor," "passenger car," and "commercial car" have the same meanings as provided in Ohio R.C. 4501.01.
      (5)   "Vehicle" and "motor vehicle", as used in the definitions of the terms set forth in subsection (a)(4) hereof, have the same meanings as provided in Chapter 301.
      (6)   “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 an 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.
   (b)   No person shall do either of the following:
      (1)   Operate an automobile on any street or highway unless that person 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 that person 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 subsection (b)(3) hereof 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 that person 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)   (1)   Subsection (b)(3) hereof does not apply to a person who is required by Section 337.26 to be secured in a child restraint device or booster seat.
      (2)   Subsection (b)(1) hereof 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)   Subsections (b)(1) and (3) hereof do not apply to a person 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 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)   Subsections (b)(1) and (3) of this section do not apply to a person who has registered with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in accordance with subsection (c)(5) of this section.
      (5)   A person who has received an affidavit under subsection (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 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 subsection (c)(5) of this section is not required to have the affidavit obtained in accordance with subsection (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 subsection (c)(3) or (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 shall adopt rules in accordance with Ohio R.C. Chapter 119, establishing a process for a person to be included in the database under subsection (c)(5) of this section. The information provided and included in the database under subsection (c)(5) of this section is not a public record subject to inspection or copying under Ohio R.C. 149.43.
   (d)   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 subsection (b) hereof has been or is being committed or for the sole purpose of issuing a ticket, citation or summons for a violation of that nature or causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution of a person for a violation of that nature, and 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 a violation of that nature has been or is being committed.
   (e)   All fines collected for violations of subsection (b) hereof shall be forwarded to the Treasurer of State for deposit as provided in Ohio R.C. 4513.263.
   (f)   (1)   Subject to subsection (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 subsection (b)(1) or (3) 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 subsection (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 noneconomic 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)   (1)   Whoever violates subsection (b)(1) of this section shall be fined thirty dollars ($30.00).
      (2)   Whoever violates subsection (b)(3) of this section shall be fined twenty dollars ($20.00).
      (3)   Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates subsection (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 subsection (b)(4) of this section, whoever violates subsection (b)(4) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
         (ORC 4513.263)
337.28 USE OF SUNSCREENING, NONTRANSPARENT AND REFLECTORIZED MATERIALS.
   (a)   Requirements.
      (1)   No person shall operate, on any highway or other public or private property open to the public for vehicular travel or parking, lease, or rent any motor vehicle that is required to be registered in this State with any sunscreening material, or other product or material which has the effect of making the windshield or windows nontransparent or would alter the windows’ color, increase its reflectivity, or reduce its light transmittance, unless the product or material satisfies one of the following exceptions:
         A.   Any manufacturer’s tinting or glazing of motor vehicle windows or windshields that is otherwise in compliance with or permitted by “Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 205" (FMVSS 205) in effect at the time of the manufacture of the motor vehicle until such standard is subsequently repealed or reduced. In “Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 205" (FMVSS 205) “manufacturer” means any person engaged in the manufacturing or assembling of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment, including any person importing motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment for resale. “Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 205" (FMVSS), Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 571, can be obtained online at web site http://www.gpo.gov.
         B.   Any sunscreening material or other product or material applied to the windshield when used in conjunction with the safety glazing materials of such window, has a light transmittance of not less than seventy per cent plus or minus three per cent and is not red or yellow in color.
         C.   Any sunscreening material or other product or material applied to the side windows to the immediate right or left of the driver, so long as such material, when used in conjunction with the safety glazing materials of such windows, has a light transmittance of not less than fifty per cent plus or minus three per cent and is not red or yellow in color.
         D.   Any sunscreening material or other product or material applied to a window not otherwise listed in subsections (a)(1)A. to C. or E. of this section, except that outside left and right rear view mirrors are required if the sunscreening material is applied to the rear window and the sunscreening material, when used in conjunction with the safety glazing material of such window, has a light tranmsmittance of less than fifty per cent plus or minus three per cent.
         E.   Any sunscreening material or other product or material applied along the top of the windshield and that does not extend downward beyond the AS-1 line or five inches from the top of the windshield, whichever is closer to the top, is not regulated by this section.
      (2)   No person shall install in any motor vehicle any glass or other material that fails to conform to the specifications of this section.
      (3)   No used motor vehicle dealer or new motor vehicle dealer, as defined in Ohio R.C. 4517.01, shall sell any motor vehicle that fails to conform to the specifications of this section.
      (4)   No reflectorized materials shall be permitted upon or in any front windshield, side windows, sidewings or rear window.
      (5)   No person shall operate on any highway or other public or private property open to the public for vehicular travel or parking, lease, or rent any motor vehicle that is required to be registered in this State that is equipped with privacy drapes, louvers, curtains or blinds unless the drapes, louvers, curtains or blinds are open and secure during vehicle operation.
      (6)   All motor vehicles, beginning with the 1990 model year, must be equipped with labels identifying sunscreening material. All sunscreening material must indicate the manufacturer’s name and the percentage level of light transmission of the material permanently installed between the material and the surface to which the material is applied or affixed. Such label must be legible and must be placed in the lower left-hand corner of the vehicle window when viewed from the outside.
(OAC 4501-41-03)
   (b)   Exemptions. The provisions of this section do not apply to:
      (1)   A motor vehicle registered in this State in the name of a person, or the person's parent, legal guardian or spouse who has an affidavit signed by a physician licensed to practice in this State under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4731 or an affidavit signed by an optometrist licensed to practice in this State under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4725 that states that the person has a physical condition that makes it necessary to equip such motor vehicle with sunscreening material which would be of a light transmittance and/or luminous reflectance in violation of this section. Such affidavit shall be in the possession of the person so afflicted or the driver at all times while in the motor vehicle;
      (2)   The windows to the rear of the driver in chauffeured limousines as defined herein;
      (3)   The windows to the rear of the driver in those vehicles designed and used to transport corpses which include hearses and other vehicles adapted for such use; and
      (4)   The manufacturer's tinting or glazing of motor vehicle windows or windshields that is otherwise in compliance with or permitted by "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 205" (FMVSS 205) in effect at the time of the manufacture of the motor vehicle as provided in subsection (a) hereof. “Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 205" (FMVSS 205), Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 571, can be obtained online at web site http://www.gpo.gov. (OAC 4501-41-05)
   (c)   Definitions. As used in this section, certain terms are defined as follows:
      (1)   "Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as specified in Section 301.20.
      (2)   "Sunscreening material" means products or materials, including film, glazing and perforated sunscreening, which, when applied to the windshield or windows of a motor vehicle, reduce the effects of the sun with respect to light reflectance or transmittance.
      (3)   "Transmittance" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in percentages, which is allowed to pass through the product or material, including glazing, to the amount of total light falling on the product or material and the glazing.
      (4)   "Windshield" means the front exterior viewing device of a motor vehicle.
      (5)   "Window" means any device designed for exterior viewing from a motor vehicle, except the windshield or any roof-mounted viewing device.
      (6)   "Manufacturer" unless otherwise specified in this section, means any person who engages in the manufacturing or assembling of sunscreening products or materials or any person who fabricates, laminates or tempers a safety glazing material, incorporating, during the manufacturing process, the capacity to reflect or reduce the transmission of light.
      (7)   “Chauffeured limousine” means a motor vehicle that is designed to carry nine or fewer passengers and is operated for hire on an hourly basis pursuant to a prearranged contract for the transportation of passengers on public roads and highways along a route under the control of the person hiring the vehicle and not over a defined and regular route. “Prearranged contract” means an arrangement, made in advance of boarding, to provide transportation from a specific location in a chauffeured limousine at a fixed rate per hour or trip. “Chauffeured limousine” does not include any vehicle that is used exclusively in the business of funeral directing.
         (OAC 4501-41-02)
   (d)   Penalty. Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.241)
337.29 BUMPER HEIGHTS.
   (a)   Definitions.
      (1)   "Passenger car" means any motor vehicle with motive power, designed for carrying ten persons or less, except a multipurpose passenger vehicle or motorcycle.
      (2)   "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.
      (3)   "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.
      (4)   "Manufacturer" has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 4501.01.
      (5)   "Gross vehicle weight rating" means the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating established for the vehicle.
      (6)   "Body floor height" means the vertical distance between top of the frame rail and the bottom of the passenger compartment (cab) floor. In the event that the vehicle is a truck body, floor height will be measured by the vertical distance between the passenger compartment (cab) floor and the floor of the truck bed.
      (7)   "Bumper height" means the vertical distance between the ground and the highest point of the bottom of the bumper, measured when the vehicle is laden on a level surface with the vehicle tires inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.
      (8)   "Frame" means the main longitudinal structural members of the chassis of the vehicle or, for vehicles with unitized body construction, the lowest main longitudinal structural members of the body of the vehicle.
      (9)   “Wheel track distance” means the distance on the ground between the center of the tire tread on one side of the vehicle, and the center of the tire tread on the opposite side.
(OAC 4501-43-02)
   (b)   Prohibitions; Application.
      (1)   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.
      (2)   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 including the installation of inverted, altered or modified suspension system component parts which results in elevation of the height of the vehicle bumper or frame unit which is not in compliance with this section.
      (3)   No person shall operate upon a street or highway any passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck registered in this State without a bumper on the front and rear of the vehicle if such vehicle was equipped with bumpers as standard equipment by the manufacturer.
      (4)   No person shall operate upon a street or highway any passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck registered in this State if the difference in height between the body floor and the top of the frame exceeds four inches.
      (5)   Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit either of the following:
         A.   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 as long as such equipment does not cause the vehicle to be in violation of this section;
         B.   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.
      (6)   This section does 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.
      (7)   A specially designed or modified passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck which does not conform to this section shall not be operated on a street or highway.
         (OAC 4501-43-03)
   (c)   Specifications.
      (1)   The horizontal bumper shall be at least 4.5 inches in vertical height, centered on the vehicle's centerline, and extend no less than the width of the respective wheel track distances. Bumpers shall be horizontal load bearing bumpers and attached to the vehicle frame to effectively transfer impact when engaged.
      (2)   Maximum bumper heights shall be determined by the type of vehicle at time of manufacture. If other than a passenger vehicle, the maximum bumper height shall be determined by the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) at the time of manufacture. The height shall be measured in terms of the vertical distance between the ground and the bottom of the bumper. Maximum bumper heights are as follows:
 
Front (inches)
Rear (inches)
Passenger Vehicles
22
22
All Other Vehicles:
4,500 lbs. and under GVWR
24
26
4,501 lbs. to 7,500 lbs. GVWR
27
29
7,501 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. GVWR
28
31
      (3)   If the body and/or truck bed height is altered the difference in height between the body floor and/or the truck bed floor to the top of the frame rail shall not exceed four inches.
      (4)   For any vehicle with bumpers or attaching components which have been modified or altered from the original manufacturer's design in order to conform with the maximum bumper requirements of this section, the bumper height shall be measured from a level surface to the bottom of the vehicle frame rail at the most forward and rearward points of the frame rail. Frame rail height if bumper modified or altered:
 
Front (inches)
Rear (inches)
Passenger Vehicles
22
22
All Other Vehicles:
4,500 lbs. and under GVWR
24
26
4,501 lbs. to 7,500 lbs. GVWR
27
29
7,501 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. GVWR
28
31
      (5)   The height restriction in this subsection (c) applies to the distance from the ground to the bottom of the frame rail under any one or more of the following conditions:
         A.   A motor vehicle is not equipped with a front and rear bumper.
         B.   The bumper height relative to the frame rails has been altered.
         C.   A supplemental bumper has been installed or an addition to the original or replacement has been made.
            (OAC 4501-43-04)
   (d)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.99)
337.30 DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS REQUIRED.
   (a)   (1)   No person shall operate any motor vehicle manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1954, unless the vehicle is equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals.
      (2)   No person shall operate any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1968, unless the vehicle is equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals.
   (b)   “Directional signals” means an electrical or mechanical signal device capable of clearly indicating an intention to turn either to the right or to the left and which shall be visible from both the front and rear.
   (c)   All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminating devices when in use at the times mentioned in Section 337.02.
   (d)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.261)
337.31 LIGHTS AND SIGN ON TRANSPORTATION FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN.
   (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)
   (c)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.99)