Loading...
§ 476.02 EQUIPMENT.
   (a)   In addition to any rules or regulations promulgated by the Ohio Director of Public Safety pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4519.20 and Ohio R.C. Chapter 119, equipment of snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, and all-purpose vehicles shall include but not necessarily be limited to requirements for the following items of equipment:
      (1)   At least one headlight having a minimum candlepower of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and objects at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead under normal atmospheric conditions during hours of darkness;
      (2)   At least one red tail light having a minimum candlepower of sufficient intensity to be plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear under normal atmospheric conditions during hours of darkness;
      (3)   Every snowmobile, while traveling on packed snow, shall be capable of carrying a driver who weighs 175 pounds or more, and, while carrying such driver, be capable of stopping in no more than 40 feet from an initial steady speed of 20 miles per hour, or locking its traction belt; and
      (4)   A muffler system capable of precluding the emission of excessive smoke or exhaust fumes, and of limiting the engine noise of vehicles. On snowmobiles manufactured after January 1, 1973, such requirement shall include sound dampening equipment such that noise does not exceed 82 decibels on the “A” scale at 50 feet as measured according to SAE J192 (September 1970).
   (b)   No person shall operate any snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle in violation of this section, except that equipment specified in division (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section shall not be required on snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, or all-purpose vehicles operated during the daylight hours.
   (c)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (b) of this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars ($50.00). If the offender within the preceding year previously has committed a violation of division (b) of this section or of Ohio R.C. 4519.20(B), whoever violates division (b) of this section shall be fined not less than fifteen dollars ($15.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00), imprisoned not more than three days, or both.
(R.C. § 4519.20)
§ 476.03 CODE APPLICATION; PROHIBITED OPERATION.
   (a)   The applicable provisions of this traffic code apply to the operation of snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, and all-purpose vehicles, except that no person shall operate a snowmobile, off- highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle as follows:
      (1)   On any state highway, including a limited access highway or freeway or the right-of-way thereof, except for emergency travel during such time and in such manner as the Ohio Director of Public Safety designates or except as authorized by R.C. § 4519.41(F);
      (2)   On any private property, or in any nursery or planting area, without the permission of the owner or other person having the right to possession of the property;
      (3)   On any land or waters controlled by the State, except at those locations where a sign has been posted permitting such operation;
      (4)   On the tracks or right-of-way of any operating railroad;
      (5)   While transporting any firearm, bow or other implement for hunting that is not unloaded and securely encased;
      (6)   For the purpose of chasing, pursuing, capturing or killing any animal or wild fowl; or
      (7)   During the time from sunset to sunrise, unless displaying lighted lights as required by Ohio R.C. 4519.20 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
   (b)   Whoever violates this section shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or imprisoned not less than three nor more than 30 days, or both.
(R.C. § 4519.40)
§ 476.04 PERMITTED OPERATION.
   Snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, and all- purpose vehicles may be operated as follows:
   (a)   To make a crossing of a highway, other than a highway as designated in Ohio R.C. 4519.40(A)(1) or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, whenever the crossing can be made in safety and will not interfere with the movement of vehicular traffic approaching from any direction on the highway, and provided that the operator yields the right-of-way to any approaching traffic that presents an immediate hazard;
   (b)   On highways in the county or township road systems whenever the local authority having jurisdiction over such highways so permits;
   (c)   Off and alongside street or highway for limited distances from the point of unloading from a conveyance to the point at which the snowmobile, off- highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle is intended and authorized to be operated;
   (d)   On the berm or shoulder of a highway, other than a highway as designated in Ohio R.C. 4519.40(A)(1) or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, when the terrain permits such operation to be undertaken safely and without the necessity of entering any traffic lane;
   (e)   On the berm or shoulder of a county or township road, while traveling from one area of operation of the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle to another such area.
   (f)   For snowmobiles without metal studded tracks and all-purpose vehicles, on state highways located on an island in Lake Erie, including limited access highways and freeways, between the first day of November and the thirtieth day of April, provided that all of the following conditions apply:
      (1)   The operator has a valid driver’s license as required under R.C. § 4519.44.
      (2)   The snowmobile or all- purpose vehicle is in compliance with rules governing safety equipment adopted under R.C. § 4519.20.
      (3)   The owner of the snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle maintains proof of financial responsibility for both on-road and off-road use of the snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle.
      (4)   The operator obeys all traffic rules and regulations.
(R.C. § 4519.41)
§ 476.05 LICENSING REQUIREMENTS OF OPERATOR.
   (a)   No person who does not hold a valid, current motor vehicle driver’s or commercial driver’s license, motorcycle operator’s endorsement or probationary license, issued under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4506 or Ohio R.C. Chapter 4507 or a valid, current driver’s license issued by another jurisdiction, shall operate a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all- purpose vehicle on any street or highway in this Municipality, on any portion of the right-of-way thereof, or on any public land or waters.
   (b)   No person who is less than 16 years of age shall operate a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle on any land or waters other than private property or waters owned by or leased to the person’s parent or guardian, unless accompanied by another person who is 18 years of age or older, and who holds a license as provided in division (a) of this section, except that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources may permit such operation on State controlled land under its jurisdiction when such person is less than 16 years of age but is 12 years of age or older and is accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a licensed driver 18 years of age or older.
   (c)   Whoever violates this section shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or imprisoned not less than three nor more than 30 days, or both.
(ORC 4519.44)
§ 476.06 ACCIDENT REPORTS.
   (a)   The operator of a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle involved in any accident resulting in bodily injury to or death of any person or damage to the property of any person in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall report the accident within 48 hours to the Chief of Police, and within 30 days shall forward a written report of the accident to the Ohio Registrar of Motor Vehicles on a form prescribed by the Registrar. If the operator is physically incapable of making the reports and there is another participant in the accident not so incapacitated, the participant shall make the reports. In the event there is no other participant, and the operator is other than the owner, the owner, within the prescribed periods of time, shall make the reports.
   (b)   Any law enforcement officer or other person authorized by Ohio R.C. 4519.42 and 4519.43 who investigates or receives information of an accident involving a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle shall forward to the Registrar a written report of the accident within 48 hours.
(ORC 4519.46)
§ 476.07 LOCAL CONTROL WITHIN POLICE POWER.
   Nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent the Municipality from regulating the operation of snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycle, and all- purpose vehicles on streets and highways and other public property under municipal jurisdiction, and within the reasonable exercise of the police power, except that no registration or licensing of any snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle required to be registered or titled under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4519 shall be required.
(ORC 4519.48)
Loading...