(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person shall occupy any travel trailer, fifth wheel trailer, or manufactured or mobile home while it is being used as a conveyance upon a street or highway.
(b) (1) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a fifth wheel trailer when both of the following apply:
A. Any child riding in the fifth wheel trailer is properly secured in the manner provided in Ohio R.C. 4511.81.
B. The operator of the vehicle towing the fifth wheel trailer has some means of viable communication with the passengers riding in the trailer.
(2) As used in this section, “viable communication” includes a cellular or satellite telephone, a radio or any other similar electronic wireless communications device.
(c) (1) 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.
(2) The offense established under this section is a strict liability offense and Ohio R.C. 2901.20 does not apply. The designation of this offense as a strict liability offense shall not be construed to imply that any other offense, for which there is no specified degree of culpability, is not a strict liability offense. (ORC 4511.701)