333.06 SPEED EXCEPTIONS FOR EMERGENCY OR SAFETY VEHICLES.

   The prima-facie speed limitations set forth in Section 333.03 do not apply to emergency vehicles or public safety vehicles when they are responding to emergency calls and are equipped with and displaying at least one flashing, rotating or oscillating light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle and when the drivers thereof sound audible signals by bell, siren or exhaust whistle. This section does not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the street or highway. (ORC 4511.24)

333.07 STREET RACING, STUNT DRIVING AND STREET TAKEOVERS PROHIBITED.

   (a)    As used in this section:

      (1)   BURNOUT. A maneuver performed while operating a vehicle whereby the vehicle is kept in a stationary position, but the wheels of the vehicle are spun, which may cause the tires of the vehicle to become heated and emit smoke from the friction.

      (2)   DOUGHNUT. A maneuver performed while operating a vehicle whereby the front or rear of the vehicle is rotated around the opposite set of wheels in a continuous motion, which may cause a circular skid-mark pattern of rubber on the driving surface, or the tires of the vehicle to become heated and emit smoke from the friction, or both.

      (3)   DRIFTING. A maneuver performed while operating a vehicle whereby the vehicle is driven in a manner that causes a controlled, sideways skid during a turn, with the front wheels pointing in a direction that is the opposite of the direction of the turn.

      (4)   STREET RACING. The operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to out-distance each other or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point to the same point, wherein timing is made of the participating vehicles involving competitive accelerations or speeds. The operation of two or more vehicles side by side either at speeds in excess of prima-facie lawful speeds established by Ohio R.C. 4511.21(B)(1)(a) to (B)(9) or rapidly accelerating from a common starting point to a speed in excess of such prima-facie lawful speeds shall be prima-facie evidence of street racing.

      (5)   STREET TAKEOVER. Blocking or impeding the regular flow of vehicle or pedestrian traffic on a public road, street, or highway or on private property that is open to the general public for the purpose of street racing or stunt driving.

      (6)   STUNT DRIVING. Performing or engaging in burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, or wheelies, or allowing a passenger to ride either partially or fully outside of the vehicle while operating that vehicle.

      (7)   WHEELIE. A maneuver performed while operating a vehicle whereby the front wheel or wheels of the vehicle are raised off of the ground or whereby two wheels that are on the same side of the vehicle are raised off of the ground.

   (b)   No person shall knowingly participate in street racing, stunt driving, or street takeover upon any public road, street, or highway, or on private property that is open to the general public.

   (c)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of street racing, stunt driving, or street takeover, a misdemeanor of the first degree. In addition to any other sanctions, the court shall suspend the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege for not less than thirty days or more than three years. No judge shall suspend the first thirty days of any suspension of an offender’s license, permit, or privilege imposed under this division.

   (d)   Persons rendering assistance in any manner to street racing, stunt driving, or street takeover shall be equally charged as the participants.

   (e)   This section does not apply to the competitive operation of vehicles on public or private property when the political subdivision with jurisdiction of the location or owner of the property knowingly permits such operation thereon. (ORC 4511.251)

333.08 OPERATION WITHOUT REASONABLE CONTROL.

   (a)   No person shall operate a motor vehicle, agricultural tractor, or agricultural tractor that is towing, pulling, or otherwise drawing a unit of farm machinery on any street, highway, or property open to the public for vehicular traffic without being in reasonable control of the vehicle, agricultural tractor or unit of farm machinery.

   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of operating a motor vehicle or agricultural tractor without being in control of it, a minor misdemeanor. (ORC 4511.202)

333.09 RECKLESS OPERATION ON STREETS, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY.

   (a)   No person shall operate a vehicle on any street or highway without due regard for the safety of persons or property.

   (b)   No person shall operate a vehicle on any public or private property other than streets or highways, without due regard for the safety of persons or property.

   This subsection does not apply to the competitive operation of vehicles on public or private property when the owner of such property knowingly permits such operation thereon.

   (c)   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.

333.10 SPEED REGULATIONS IN PUBLIC PARKS.

   (a)   No person shall drive or operate any vehicle in or past any of the public parks of the City at a rate in excess of that hereinafter specified for such park, to-wit:

      Burnham Park      15 m.p.h.

      Whetstone Park   15 m.p.h.

(Ord. 111-99. Passed 10-4-99.)

   (b)   The Chief of Police is hereby authorized and directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs along the public drives along or in the park hereinabove specified in conformance with the provisions of this section.

   (c)   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.