(a) No person shall drive upon, along, or across a street or highway, or any part of a street or highway that has been closed in the process of its construction, reconstruction, or repair, and posted with appropriate signs by the authority having jurisdiction to close the highway.
(ORC 4511.71(A))
(b) (1) No person shall operate a vehicle on or onto a public street or highway that is temporarily covered by a rise in water level, including groundwater or an overflow of water, and that is clearly marked by a sign that specifies that the road is closed due to the rise in water level and that any person who uses the closed portion of the road may be fined up to two thousand dollars ($2,000).
(2) A person who is issued a citation for a violation of division (b)(1) of this section is not permitted to enter a written plea of guilty and waive the person’s right to contest the citation in court, but instead must appear in person in the proper court to answer the charge.
(ORC 4511.714(A), (B))
(c)
(1) A. Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (a) 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 division (a) 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 division (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
B. 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 Section 408.02(b).
(ORC 4511.71(B))
(2) A. Whoever violates division (b) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
B. In addition to the financial sanctions authorized or required under Ohio R.C. 2929.28 and to any costs otherwise authorized or required under any provision of law, the court imposing the sentence upon an offender who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of division (b) of this section shall order the offender to reimburse one or more rescuers for the cost any such rescuer incurred in rescuing the person, excluding any cost of transporting the rescued person to a hospital or other facility for treatment of injuries, up to a cumulative maximum of two thousand dollars ($2,000). If more than one rescuer was involved in the emergency response, the court shall allocate the reimbursement proportionately, according to the cost each rescuer incurred. A financial sanction imposed under this section is a judgment in favor of the rescuer and, subject to a determination of indigency under Ohio R.C. 2929.28(B), a rescuer may collect the financial sanction in the same manner as provided in Ohio R.C. 2929.28.
(ORC 4511.714(C))
(d) As used in this section:
(1) “Emergency medical service organization.” Has the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 9.60.
(2) “Firefighting agency.” Has the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 9.60.
(3) “Private fire company.” Has the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 9.60.
(4) “Rescuer.” Means a state agency, political subdivision, firefighting agency, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization.
(ORC 4511.714(D))