(a) When thaws or excessive moisture render the highways, or any portion thereof, insufficient to bear the traffic thereon, or when such a highway would be damaged by heavy traffic during the period of thawing or excessive moisture, the maximum weight of vehicle and load or the maximum speed, or both, for vehicles as prescribed in the Ohio Revised Code and in this Traffic Code may be reduced as the condition of the highway justifies but in no case shall the reduction be more than fifty percent (50%).
(b) The Chief of Police, at least three days before the reduction becomes effective, shall cause to be placed and retained on the highways, at both ends and at points of intersection by principal highways, during the period of the reduced limitation of weight or speed, or both, signs of substantial construction which will conspicuously indicate the limitations of weight or speed which apply to the highway and the date on which such limitations are to go into effect.
(c) No person shall operate upon any such posted highway a vehicle whose maximum weight or speed is in excess of the limitations so prescribed.
(1979 Code 74.40)
(d) Whoever violates any provision of 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.