(a) Definitions.
(1) “Construction zone” means that lane or portion of street or highway open to vehicular traffic and adjacent to a lane, berm, or shoulder of a street or highway within which lane, berm or shoulder construction, reconstruction, resurfacing or any other work of a repair or maintenance nature, including public utility work, is being conducted, commencing with the point where the first worker or piece of equipment is located and ending where the last worker or piece of equipment is located.
(2) “Reckless operation offense” and “speeding offense” have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 2903.06.
(b) Signs as to Increased Penalties in Construction Zones. The Safety Director may establish speed limits within construction zones that vary based on the type of work being conducted, the time of day, or any other criteria the Director may consider appropriate. The Director shall cause signs to be erected advising motorists that increased penalties apply for certain traffic violations occurring on streets or highways in a construction zone. The increased penalties shall be effective only when signs are erected in accordance with the guidelines and design specifications established by the Director and when a violation occurs during hours of actual work within the construction zone.
(c) Increased Penalties for Traffic Violations in Construction Zones. The rules required under subsection (b) hereof shall include guidelines to determine which areas are appropriate to the posting of such signs. The guidelines may include consideration of the following: the duration of the work on the street or highway, the proximity of workers to moving traffic, the existence of any unusual or hazardous conditions, the volume of traffic on the street or highway, and any other appropriate factors. The Director shall formulate design specifications for the signs described in subsection (b) hereof advising motorists of the increased penalties and notifying motorists of the prohibitions set forth in Ohio R.C. 2903.06 and 2903.08 regarding the death of or injury to any person in a construction zone as a proximate result of a reckless operation offense or speeding offense as described in that division. For purposes of traffic violation penalties, nothing in this section is intended to conflict with any standard set forth in the federal manual of uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways.
(Ord. 2013-124. Passed 11-12-13.)