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Warrensville Heights Overview
Warrensville Heights, OH Codified Ordinances
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OHIO
CERTIFICATION
ROSTER OF OFFICIALS
ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 1999-54
EDITOR'S NOTE
COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
CHARTER OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OHIO
PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE
PART FIVE - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
PART NINE - STREETS AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
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333.04 STOPPING VEHICLE; SLOW SPEED; POSTED MINIMUM SPEEDS.
   (a)   No person shall stop or operate a vehicle at such an unreasonably slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when stopping or reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or to comply with law.
   (b)   Whenever, in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4511.22(B), the minimum speed limit of a controlled-access highway, expressway or freeway has been declared and the appropriate signs giving notice have been erected as required, operators of motor vehicles shall be governed by the speed limitations set forth on such signs. No person shall operate a motor vehicle below the speed limits posted upon such signs except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
   
   (c)   In a case involving a violation of this section, the trier of fact, in determining whether the vehicle was being operated at an unreasonably slow speed, shall consider the capabilities of the vehicle and its operator.
   (d)   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 303.991 of the Traffic Code. (ORC 4511.22)
333.05 SPEED LIMITATIONS OVER BRIDGES.
   (a)   No person shall operate a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a street at a speed which is greater then the maximum speed that can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, when such structure is posted with authorized signs stating such maximum speed. Such signs shall be erected and maintained at a distance of at least 100 feet before each end of such structure.
   (b)   Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of this section, proof of the determination of the maximum speed and the existence of such signs shall constitute prima-facie evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure.
   (c)   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 303.991 of the Traffic Code.
(ORC 4511.23)
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 PROHIBITED.
   (a)   As used in this section, “street racing” means 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.
   Persons rendering assistance in any manner to such competitive use of vehicles shall be equally charged as the participants. The operation of two or more vehicles side by side either at speeds in excess of prima-facie lawful speeds established by Section 333.03 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.
   (b)   No person shall participate in street racing upon any public road, street or highway in this Municipality.
   (c)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of street racing, 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 subsection. (ORC 4511.251)
333.08 OPERATION WITHOUT REASONABLE CONTROL.
   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.
(ORC 4511.202)
333.09 ELECTRONIC WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE USE PROHIBITED WHILE DRIVING.
   (a)   No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any street, highway, or property open to the public for vehicular traffic while using, holding, or physically supporting with any part of the person’s body an electronic wireless communications device.
   (b)   Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to any of the following:
      (1)   A person using an electronic wireless communications device to make contact, for emergency purposes, with a law enforcement agency, hospital or health care provider, fire department, or other similar emergency agency or entity.
      (2)   A person driving a public safety vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device in the course of the person’s duties.
      (3)   A person using an electronic wireless communications device when the person’s motor vehicle is in a stationary position and is outside a lane of travel, at a traffic control signal that is currently directing traffic to stop, or parked on a road or highway due to an emergency or road closure;
      (4)   A person using and holding an electronic wireless communications device directly near the person’s ear for the purpose of making, receiving, or conducting a telephone call, provided that the person does not manually enter letters, numbers, or symbols into the device;
      (5)   A person receiving wireless messages on an electronic wireless communications device regarding the operation or navigation of a motor vehicle; safety-related information, including emergency, traffic, or weather alerts; or data used primarily by the motor vehicle, provided that the person does not hold or support the device with any part of the person’s body;
      (6)   A person using the speaker phone function of the electronic wireless communications device, provided that the person does not hold or support the device with any part of the person’s body;
      (7)   A person using an electronic wireless communications device for navigation purposes, provided that the person does not do either of the following during the use:
         A.   Manually enter letters, numbers, or symbols into the device;
         B.   Hold or support the device with any part of the person’s body;
      (8)   A person using a feature or function of the electronic wireless communications device with a single touch or single swipe, provided that the person does not do either of the following during the use:
         A.   Manually enter letters, numbers, or symbols into the device;
         B.   Hold or support the device wtih any part of the person’s body;
      (9)   A person operating a commercial truck while using a mobile data terminal that transmits and receives data;
      (10)   A person operating a utilty service vehicle or a vehicle for or on behalf of a utility, if the person is acting in response to an emergency, power outage, or circumstance that affects the health or safety of individuals;
      (11)   A person using an electronic wireless communications device in conjunction with a voice-operated or hands-free feature or function of the vehicle or of the device without the use of either hand except to activate, deactivate, or initiate the feature or function with a single touch or swipe, provided the person does not hold or support the device with any part of the person’s body;
      (12)   A person using technology that physically or electronically integrates the device into the motor vehicle, provided that the person does not do either of the following during the use:
         A.   Manually enter letters, numbers, or symbols into the device;
         B.   Hold or support the device with any part of the person’s body;
      (13)   A person storing an electronic wireless communications device in a holster, harness, or article of clothing on the person’s body.
   (c)   If a law enforcement officer issues an offender a ticket, citation or summons for a violation of subsection (a) of this section, the officer shall do both of the following:
      (1)   Report the issuance of the ticket, citation, or summons to the officer’s law enforcement agency;
      (2)   Ensure that such report indicates the offender’s race.
   (d)   Whoever violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of operating a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communication device, an unclassified misdemeanor, and shall be punished as provided in subsections (d)(1) to (5) of this section.
      (1)   The offender shall be fined, and is subject to a suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege, as follows:
         A.   Except as provided in subsections (d)(1)B., (d)(1)C., (d)(1)D. and (d)(2) of this section, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).
         B.   If, within two years of the violation, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one prior violation of this section, Ohio R.C. 4511.204, or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
         C.   If, within two years of the violation, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two or more prior violations of this section, Ohio R.C. 4511.204, or a substantially equivalent or municipal ordinance, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). The court also may impose a suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege for ninety days.
         D.   Notwithstanding subsections (d)(1)A. to (d)(1)C. of this section, if the offender was operating the motor vehicle at the time of the violation in a construction zone where a sign was posted in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4511.98, the court, in addition to all other penalties provided by law, shall impose upon the offender a fine of two times the amount imposed for the violation under subsections (d)(1)A., (d)(1)B., or (d)(1)C. of this section, as applicable.
      (2)   If the offender is in the category of offenders to whom subsection (d)(1)A of this section applies, in lieu of payment of the fine of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) under subsection (d)(1)A. of this section and the assessment of points under subsection (d)(4) of this section, the offender instead may elect to attend the distracted driving safety course, as described in Section 303.991. If the offender attends and successfully completes the course, the offender shall be issued written evidence that the offender successfully completed the course. The offender shall not be required to pay the fine and shall not have the points assessed against that offender’s driver’s license if the offender submits the written evidence to the court. This subsection does not apply with respect to any offender in the category of offenders to whom subsection (d)(1)B., C., or D. of this section applies.
      (3)   The court may impose any other penalty authorized under Ohio R.C. 2929.21 to 2929.28. However, the court shall not impose a fine or a suspension not otherwise specified in subsection (d)(1) of this section. The court also shall not impose a jail term or community residential sanction.
      (4)   Except as provided in subsection (d)(2) of this section, points shall be assessed for a violation of subsection (a) of this section in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4510.036.
      (5)   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.
   (e)   A prosecution for an offense in violation of this section does not preclude a prosecution for an offense in violation of Ohio R.C. 4511.204 based on the same conduct. However, the two offenses are allied offenses of similar import under Ohio R.C. 2941.25.
   (f)   (1)   A law enforcement officer does not have probable cause and shall not stop the operator of a motor vehicle for the purposes of enforcing this section unless the officer visually observes the operator using, holding, or physically supporting with any part of the person’s body the electronic wireless communications device.
      (2)   A law enforcement officer who stops the operator of a motor vehicle for a violation of subsection (a) of this section shall inform the operator that the operator may decline a search of the operator’s electronic wireless communications device. The officer shall not do any of the following:
         A.   Access the device without a warrant unless the operator voluntarily and unequivocally gives consent for the officer to access the device;
         B.   Confiscate the device while awaiting the issuance of a warrant to access the device;
         C.   Obtain consent from the operator to access the device through coercion or any other improper means. Any consent by the operator to access the device shall be voluntary and unequivocal before the officer may access the device without a warrant.
   (g)   As used in this section:
      (1)   “Electronic wireless communications device”, includes any of the following:
         A.   A wireless telephone;
         B.   A text-messaging device;
         C.   A personal digital assistant;
         D.   A computer, including a laptop computer and a computer tablet;
         E.   Any device capable of displaying a video, movie, broadcast television image, or visual image;
         F.   Any other substantially similar wireless device that is designed or used to communicate text, initiate or receive communication, or exchange information or data.
An “electronic wireless communications device” does not include a two-way radio transmitter or receiver used by a person who is licensed by the federal communications commission to participate in the amateur radio service.
      (2)   “Utility” means an entity specified in Ohio R.C. 4905.03(A), (C), (D), (E) or (G).
      (3)   “Utility service vehicle” means a vehicle owned or operated by a utility.
      (4)   “Voice-operated or hands-free feature or function” means a feature or function that allows a person to use an electronic wireless communications device without the use of either hand, except to activate, deactivate, or initiate the feature or function with a single touch or single swipe.
         (ORC 4511.204)