(A) No person shall drive or move, or cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved, on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.02(A), (H)) (Rev. 2013)
(A) As used in this section:
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING. Means the manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating established for that vehicle.
MANUFACTURER. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 4501.01.
MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE. Means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a motorcycle, designed to carry ten persons or less, that is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.
PASSENGER CAR. Means any motor vehicle with motive power, designed for carrying ten persons or less, except a multipurpose passenger vehicle or motorcycle.
TRUCK. Means every motor vehicle, except trailers and semitrailers, designed and used to carry property and having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.
(B) Rules adopted by the Director of Public Safety, in accordance with R.C. Chapter 119, shall govern the maximum bumper height or, in the absence of bumpers and in cases where bumper height have been lowered or modified, the maximum height to the bottom of the frame rail of any passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck.
(C) No person shall operate upon a street or highway any passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck registered in this state that does not conform to the requirements of this section or any applicable rule adopted pursuant to R.C. § 4513.021.
(D) No person shall modify any motor vehicle registered in this state in such a manner as to cause the vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the ground, expose the fuel tank to damage from collision, or cause the wheels to come in contact with the body under normal operation, and no person shall disconnect any part of the original suspension system of the vehicle to defeat the safe operation of that system.
(E) Nothing contained in this section or in the rules adopted pursuant to R.C. § 4513.021 shall be construed to prohibit either of the following:
(1) The installation upon a passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck registered in this state of heavy duty equipment, including shock absorbers and overload springs:
(2) The operation on a street or highway of a passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck registered in this state with normal wear to the suspension system if the normal wear does not adversely affect the control of the vehicle.
(F) This section and the rules adopted pursuant to R.C. § 4513.021 do not apply to any specially designed or modified passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck when operated off a street or highway in races and similar events.
(G) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.021) (Rev. 2013)
Statutory reference:
Maximum height on bumpers, see O.A.C. Chapter 4501-43
(A) Every vehicle, other than a motorized bicycle, operated upon a street or highway within this state shall display lighted lights and illuminating devices as required by R.C. §§ 4513.04 to 4513.37 during all of the following times:
(1) The time from sunset to sunrise;
(2) At any other time when, due to insufficient natural light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons, vehicles, and substantial objects on the highway are not discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead;
(3) At any time when the windshield wipers of the vehicle are in use because of precipitation on the windshield.
(B) Every motorized bicycle shall display at such times lighted lights meeting the rules adopted by the Ohio Director of Public Safety under R.C. § 4511.521. No motor vehicle, during any time specified in this section, shall be operated upon a street or highway within this state using only parking lights as illumination.
(C) Whenever in such sections a requirement is declared as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible, or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, such distance shall be measured upon a straight level unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different condition is expressly stated.
(D) Whenever in such sections a requirement is declared as to the mounted height of lights or devices, it shall mean from the center of such light or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands.
(E) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no law enforcement officer shall cause the operator of a vehicle being operated upon a street or highway within this state to stop the vehicle solely because the officer observes that a violation of division (A)(3) of this section has been or is being committed or for the sole purpose of issuing a ticket, citation, or summons for a violation of that division, or causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution of a person for a violation of that division.
(F) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.03) (Rev. 2010)
(A) (1) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped with at least two headlights with at least one near each side of the front of the motor vehicle.
(2) Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two headlights.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.04) (Rev. 2010)
(A) (1) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer or vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one tail light mounted on the rear which, when lighted, shall emit a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear, provided that in the case of a train of vehicles only the tail light on the rearmost vehicle need be visible from the distance specified.
(2) Either a tail light or a separate light shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate, when such registration plate is required, and render it legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. Any tail light, together with any separate light for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the headlights or auxiliary driving lights are lighted, except where separate lighting systems are provided for trailers for the purpose of illuminating such registration plate.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.05) (Rev. 2010)
(A) (1) Every new motor vehicle sold after September 6, 1941, and operated on a highway, other than a commercial tractor to which a trailer or semitrailer is attached, shall carry at the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two red reflectors meeting the requirements of this section, except that vehicles of the type mentioned in R.C. § 4513.07 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance shall be equipped with reflectors as required by the regulations provided for in that section.
(2) Every such reflector shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be visible at night from all distances within 300 feet to 50 feet from such vehicle.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.06) (Rev. 2010)
(A) (1) When the Director of Public Safety prescribes and promulgates regulations relating to clearance lights, marker lights, reflectors and stop lights on buses, trucks, commercial tractors, trailers, semitrailers and pole trailers, when operated upon any highway, these vehicles shall be equipped as required by such regulations, and such equipment shall be lighted at all times mentioned in R.C. § 4513.03 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, except that clearance lights and side marker lights need not be lighted on any such vehicle when it is operated within the municipality where there is sufficient light to reveal any person or substantial object on the highway at a distance of 500 feet.
(2) Such equipment shall be in addition to all other lights specifically required by R.C. §§ 4513.03 through 4513.16, or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinances.
(3) Vehicles operated under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission are not subject to this section.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.07) (Rev. 2010)
(A) (1) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with two or more stop lights, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1967, motorcycles, and motor-driven cycles shall be equipped with at least one stop light. Stop lights shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle, actuated upon application of the service brake, and may be incorporated with other rear lights. Such stop lights when actuated shall emit a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear; provided that in the case of a train of vehicles only the stop lights on the rearmost vehicle need be visible from the distance specified.
(2) Such stop lights when actuated shall give a steady warning light to the rear of a vehicle or train of vehicles to indicate the intention of the operator to diminish the speed of or stop a vehicle or train of vehicles.
(3) When stop lights are used as required by this section, they shall be constructed or installed so as to provide adequate and reliable illumination and shall conform to the appropriate rules and regulations established under R.C. § 4513.19.
(4) Historical motor vehicles as defined in R.C. § 4503.181, not originally manufactured with stop lights, are not subject to this section.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.071) (Rev. 2010)
Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in combination during the time that lights are required, any light, except tail lights, which by reason of its location on a vehicle of the combination would be obscured by another vehicle of the combination, need not be lighted, but this section does not affect the requirement that lighted clearance lights be displayed on the front of the foremost vehicle required to have clearance lights or that all lights required on the rear of the rearmost vehicle of any combination shall be lighted.
(R.C. § 4513.08)
(A) Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of this vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the times specified in R.C. § 4513.03 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the sides and rear. The red light or lantern required by this section is in addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. At any other time there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of such load a red flag or cloth not less than 16 inches square.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.09) (Rev. 2010)
(A) Except in case of an emergency, whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a roadway open to traffic or a shoulder adjacent thereto, whether attended or unattended, during the times mentioned in R.C. § 4513.03 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, such vehicle shall be equipped with one or more lights which shall exhibit a white or amber light on the roadway side visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle, and a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. No lights need be displayed upon any such vehicle when it is stopped or parked within the municipality where there is sufficient light to reveal any person or substantial object within a distance of 500 feet upon such highway. Any lighted headlights upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.
(R.C. § 4513.10) (Rev. 1999)
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.99) (Rev. 2013)
(A) Definitions. As used in this section:
BOAT TRAILER. Means any vehicle designed and used exclusively to transport a boat between a place of storage and a marina, or in and around a marina, when drawn or towed on a street or highway for a distance of no more than ten miles and at a speed of 25 miles per hour or less.
SLOW-MOVING VEHICLE and SMV. Mean a boat trailer, unit of farm machinery, road construction machinery, or other machinery designed by the manufacturer to operate at a speed of 25 miles per hour or less. The term does not include a bicycle, motorized bicycle, electric bicycle, or animal-drawn vehicle.
(R.C. § 4513.11) (Rev. 2023)
(B) Generally.
(1) At the times specified in R.C. § 4513.03, no person shall operate either of the following vehicles unless it is equipped with and displays the lamps described in division (B)(2) of this section:
(a) A vehicle not specifically required to be equipped with lamps or other lighting devices by R.C. §§ 4513.03 to 4513.10;
(b) A vehicle referred to in R.C. § 4513.02(G).
(2) Vehicles described in division (B)(1) of this section shall be equipped with both of the following:
(a) At least one lamp displaying a white light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the front of the vehicle;
(b) Two lamps displaying red light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear of the vehicle, or as an alternative, one lamp displaying a red light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear and two red reflectors visible from all distances of 600 feet to 100 feet to the rear when illuminated by the lawful lower beams of headlamps.
(3) (a) At the times specified in R.C. § 4513.03, no person shall operate a multi-wheel agricultural tractor model year 2001 or earlier on a street or highway unless it is equipped with and displays reflectors and illuminated amber lamps so that the extreme left and right projections of the tractor are indicated by all of the following:
1. Flashing lamps displaying amber light, visible to the front and the rear. The lamps need not flash simultaneously and need not flash in conjunction with any directional signals of the tractor.
2. Amber reflectors, all visible to the front;
3. Red reflectors, all visible to the rear.
(b) Rules adopted by the Ohio Director of Public Safety under R.C. § 4513.111 governing the lamps and reflectors described in division (B)(3)(a) of this section and their placement correlate with and, as far as possible, conform with paragraphs 4.1.4.1, 4.1.7.1, and 4.1.7.2 respectively of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers Standard ANSI/ASAE S279.10 OCT 98, Lighting and Marking of Agricultural Equipment on Highways.
(4) At the times specified in R.C. § 4513.03, no person shall operate a unit of farm machinery model year 2002 or later on a street or highway unless it is equipped with and displays markings and illuminated lamps that meet or exceed the lighting, illumination, and marking standards and specifications that are applicable to that type of farm machinery for the unit's model year specified in the American society of agricultural engineers standard ANSI/ASAE S279.10 OCT 98, lighting and marking of agricultural equipment on highways.
(5) Any unit of farm machinery designed by its manufacturer to operate at a speed of 25 miles per hour or greater or any SMV may be equipped with and display a red flashing light that is visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear at all times specified in R.C. § 4513.03. When a double-faced light is used, it shall display amber light to the front and red light to the rear.
(6) Lights and reflectors required under divisions (B)(3) and (B)(4) of this section and authorized under division (B)(5) of this section are in addition to other lights required or permitted by this division (B) or R.C. § 4513.17.
(7) The Ohio Director of Public Safety shall adopt rules in accordance with R.C. Chapter 119 that establish standards and specifications for lamps and reflectors required or authorized by this section. Lamps and reflectors required or authorized by this section shall meet those standards and specifications.
(8) This division (B) does not apply to a bicycle, motorized bicycle, electric bicycle, or animal-drawn vehicle.
(9) Whoever violates this division (B) is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.111) (Rev. 2023)
(C) Slow-moving vehicles.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall operate an SMV on a street or highway as follows:
(a) At a speed exceeding 25 miles per hour;
(b) Without displaying the triangular SMV emblem mounted in accordance with division (C)(2) of this section.
(2) The SMV emblem shall be mounted so as to be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet to the rear. In accordance with R.C. Chapter 119, the Ohio Director of Public Safety shall adopt standards and specifications for the design and position of mounting the SMV emblem. The standards and specifications for the SMV emblem correlate with and, so far as possible, conform with those approved by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers.
(3) A person may operate an SMV on a street or highway without displaying the triangular SMV emblem when any of the following apply:
(a) The SMV is being used in actual construction and maintenance work in an area guarded by a flagperson, or where flares are used.
(b) The SMV is operating or traveling within the limits of a construction area designated by the Ohio Director of Transportation, a city engineer, or the county engineer of the several counties, when such construction area is marked in accordance with requirements of the Ohio Director of Transportation and the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as set forth in R.C. § 4511.09.
(4) No person shall display an SMV emblem on any of the following:
(a) Any vehicle not required to use the SMV emblem by this division (C) or R.C. § 4513.113 or 4513.114;
(b) An SMV being transported upon any other vehicle;
(c) Any stationary object on the highway.
(5) No person shall sell, lease, rent, or operate an SMV, except a unit designed to be completely mounted on a primary power unit that is manufactured or assembled on or after April 1, 1966, unless it is equipped with an SMV emblem mounting device.
(6) Whoever violates this division (C) is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.112) (Rev. 2023)
(D) Farm machinery and agricultural tractors.
(1) No person shall sell, lease, rent, or operate on a street or highway any unit of farm machinery that is designed by its manufacturer to operate at a speed greater than 25 miles per hour unless the unit displays both of the following:
(a) The SMV emblem mounted in accordance with R.C. § 4513.112(B);
(b) A speed identification symbol that does both of the following:
1. Meets the specifications contained in the American Society of Agricultural Engineers Standard ANSI/ASAE S584 JAN2005, Agricultural Equipment: Speed Identification Symbol (SIS);
2. Indicates the maximum speed in miles per hour at which the unit of farm machinery is designed by its manufacturer to operate.
(2) No person operating a tractor on a street or highway that is designed by its manufacturer to operate at a speed greater than 25 miles per hour and that is towing, pulling, or otherwise drawing a unit of farm machinery while operating at a speed greater than 25 miles per hour shall fail to display both of the following on the unit of farm machinery:
(a) The SMV emblem;
(b) The speed identification symbol that matches the speed identification symbol required to be displayed on the agricultural tractor.
(3) No person shall operate an agricultural tractor that is designed by its manufacturer to operate at a speed greater than 25 miles per hour unless the person possesses documentation published or provided by the manufacturer indicating the maximum speed in miles per hour at which the manufacturer designed the agricultural tractor to operate.
(4) Whoever violates this division (D) is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.113) (Rev. 2023)
(E) Animal-drawn vehicles.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (E)(4) of this section, no person shall operate an animal- drawn vehicle on a street or highway unless it is equipped with and displays, at the times specified in R.C. § 4513.03, both of the following:
(a) At least one lamp displaying a white light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the front of the animal-drawn vehicle;
(b) Two lamps displaying red light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear of the animal-drawn vehicle, or as an alternative, one lamp displaying a red light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear and two red reflectors visible from all distances of 600 feet to one hundred feet to the rear when illuminated by the lawful lower beams of headlamps.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in division (E)(4) of this section, no person shall operate an animal- drawn vehicle on a street or highway unless it is equipped with and displays, at all times, all of the following:
(a) One yellow flashing lamp displaying yellow light that is visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet and that is mounted in either of the following positions:
1. On the top most portion of the rear of the animal-drawn vehicle;
2. On the top of the animal-drawn vehicle.
(b) At least one of the following:
1. An SMV emblem mounted in accordance with R.C. § 4513.112(B);
2. Micro-prism reflective tape that is visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet to the rear when illuminated by the lawful lower beams of headlamps;
3. Both an SMV emblem and micro- prism reflective tape, as specified in this division.
(c) Lamps and micro-prism reflective tape required by this section shall meet standards and specifications adopted by the Ohio Director of Public Safety under R.C. § 4513.114.
(3) The Ohio Director of Public Safety, in accordance with R.C. Chapter 119, shall adopt rules establishing standards and specifications for the position and mounting of the lamps and micro-prism reflective tape required by R.C. § 4513.114. The rules permit the micro- prism reflective tape to be red, amber, white, or silver in color.
(4) (a) Divisions (E)(1) and (E)(2) of this section do not apply to the operator of animal-drawn agricultural equipment who is not transporting any livestock or a person other than the operator.
(b) No operator described in division (E)(4)(a) of this section shall operate animal-drawn agricultural equipment unless it is equipped with and displays, at all times, the SMV emblem mounted in accordance with R.C. § 4513.112(B).
(c) As used in division (E)(4) of this section, “animal-drawn agricultural equipment” means equipment drawn by the muscular power of an animal that is used solely for agricultural purposes. “Animal-drawn agricultural equipment” includes any of the following:
1. A plow;
2. A manure spreader;
3. A thresher.
(5) Whoever violates this division (E) is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.114) (Rev. 2023)
(F) Strict liability offenses. The offenses established under this section are strict liability offenses, and R.C. § 2901.20 does not apply. The designation of these offenses as strict liability offenses 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.
(R.C. § 4513.115) (Rev. 2023)
(A) (1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one spotlight and every lighted spotlight shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle, nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle.
(2) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than three auxiliary driving lights mounted on the front of the vehicle. Any such lights which do not conform to the specifications for auxiliary driving lights and the regulations for their use prescribed by the Director of Public Safety shall not be used.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.12) (Rev. 2010)
(A) (1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with side cowl or fender lights which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
(2) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with lights on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
(3) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with back-up lights, either separately or in combination with another light. No back-up lights shall be continuously lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.13) (Rev. 2010)
(A) At all times mentioned in R.C. § 4513.03 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, at least two lighted lights shall be displayed, one near each side of the front of every motor vehicle, except when such vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.14) (Rev. 2010)
(A) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto during the times specified in R.C. § 4513.03 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons, vehicles and substantial objects at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements:
(1) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle, such driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver.
(2) Every new motor vehicle registered in this state which has multiple-beam road lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlights is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. This indicator shall be so designed and located that, when lighted, it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.15) (Rev. 2010)
(A) Any motor vehicle may be operated under the conditions specified in R.C. § 4513.03 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance when it is equipped with two lighted lights upon the front thereof capable of revealing persons and substantial objects 75 feet ahead, in lieu of lights required in R.C. § 4513.14 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, provided that such vehicle shall not be operated at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.16) (Rev. 2010)
(A) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlights is also equipped with any auxiliary lights or spotlight or any other light on the front thereof projecting a beam of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than a total of five of any such lights on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when the vehicle is upon a highway.
(B) Any lighted light or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle, other than headlights, spotlights, signal lights, or auxiliary driving lights, that projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
(C) (1) Flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles, except as a means for indicating a right or a left turn, or in the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, or overtaking or passing.
(2) The prohibition in division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Emergency vehicles, road service vehicles servicing or towing a disabled vehicle, stationary waste collection vehicles actively collecting garbage, refuse, trash, or recyclable materials on the roadside, rural mail delivery vehicles, vehicles as provided in R.C. § 4513.182, highway maintenance vehicles, and similar equipment operated by state or local authorities, provided such vehicles are equipped with and display, when used on a street or highway for the special purpose necessitating such lights, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light;
(b) Vehicles or machinery permitted by R.C. § 4513.111 to have a flashing red light;
(c) Farm machinery and vehicles escorting farm machinery, provided such machinery and vehicles are equipped with and display, when used on a street or highway, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light. Farm machinery also may display the lights described in R.C. § 4513.111.
(d) A funeral hearse or funeral escort vehicle, provided that the funeral hearse or funeral escort vehicle is equipped with and displays, when used on a street or highway for the special purpose necessitating such lights, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating purple or amber light;
(e) A vehicle being used for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities, as those terms are defined in R.C. § 5502.21, that is equipped with and displays, when used on a street or highway for the special purpose necessitating such lights, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber or red and white light, provided that the vehicle is being operated by a person from one of the following and the vehicle is clearly marked with the applicable agency’s or authority’s insignia:
1. The Ohio Emergency Management Agency;
2. A countywide emergency management agency established under R.C. § 5502.26;
3. A regional authority for emergency management established under R.C. § 5502.27;
4. A program for emergency management established under R.C. § 5502.271.
(3) Division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to animal-drawn vehicles subject to R.C. § 4513.114.
(D) (1) Except a person operating a public safety vehicle, as defined in R.C. § 4511.01(E), an emergency management agency vehicle, as described in division (C)(2)(e) of this section, or a school bus, no person shall operate, move, or park upon, or permit to stand within the right-of-way of any public street or highway any vehicle or equipment that is equipped with and displaying a flashing red or a flashing combination red and white light, or an oscillating or rotating red light, or a combination red and white oscillating or rotating light.
(2) Except a public law enforcement officer, or other person sworn to enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, operating a public safety vehicle when on duty, no person shall operate, move, or park upon, or permit to stand within the right-of-way of any street or highway any vehicle or equipment that is equipped with, or upon which is mounted, and displaying a flashing blue or a flashing combination blue and white light, or an oscillating or rotating blue light, or a combination blue and white oscillating or rotating light.
(E) This section does not prohibit the use of warning lights required by law or the simultaneous flashing of turn signals on disabled vehicles or on vehicles being operated in unfavorable atmospheric conditions in order to enhance their visibility. This section also does not prohibit the simultaneous flashing of turn signals or warning lights whether on farm machinery or vehicles escorting farm machinery when used on a street or highway.
(R.C. § 4513.17) (Rev. 2024)
(F) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a motor vehicle operated by a coroner, deputy coroner or coroner’s investigator may be equipped with a flashing, oscillating or rotating red or blue light and siren, whistle or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet. Such a vehicle may display the flashing, oscillating or rotating red or blue light and may give the audible signal of the siren, whistle or bell only when responding to a fatality or a fatal motor vehicle accident on a street or highway and only at those locations where the stoppage of traffic impedes the ability of the coroner, deputy coroner or coroner’s investigator to arrive at the site of the fatality.
(2) This division (F) does not relieve the coroner, deputy coroner or coroner’s investigator operating a motor vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property upon the highway.
(R.C. § 4513.171) (Rev. 1999)
(G) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. §§ 4513.17(F), 4513.171(B)) (Rev. 2010)
(A) It is unlawful to operate snow removal equipment on a highway unless the lights thereon comply with and are lighted when and as required by the standards and specifications adopted by the Director of Transportation pursuant to R.C. § 4513.18.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.18) (Rev. 2010)
Rural mail delivery vehicles, state highway survey vehicles, and funeral escort vehicles are permitted to use flashing lights.
(R.C. § 4513.181)
(A) No person shall operate any motor vehicle owned, leased, or hired by a nursery school, kindergarten, or child care center, while transporting preschool children to or from such an institution unless the motor vehicle is equipped with and displaying two amber flashing lights mounted on a bar attached to the top of the vehicle, and a sign bearing the designation “caution – children”, which shall be attached to the bar carrying the amber flashing lights in such a manner as to be legible to persons both in front of and behind the vehicle. The lights and sign shall meet standards and specifications adopted by the Ohio Director of Public Safety.
(B) No person shall operate a motor vehicle displaying the lights and sign required by this section for any purpose other than the transportation of preschool children as provided in this section.
(R.C. § 4513.182) (Rev. 2024)
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.99) (Rev. 2013)
(A) No person shall use any lights mentioned in R.C. §§ 4513.03 through 4513.18, or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinances, upon any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer unless these lights are equipped, mounted and adjusted as to focus and aim in accordance with regulations which are prescribed by the Director of Public Safety.
(B) The headlights on any motor vehicle shall comply with the headlamp color requirements contained in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108, 49 C.F.R. § 571.108. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in violation of this division.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.19) (Rev. 2015)
(A) The following requirements govern as to brake equipment on vehicles:
(1) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the motor vehicle, including two separate means of applying the brakes, each of which means shall be effective to apply the brakes to at least two wheels. If these two separate means of applying the brakes are connected in any way, then on such motor vehicles, manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1942, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part of the operating mechanism shall not leave the motor vehicle without brakes on at least two wheels.
(2) Every motorcycle, when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with at least one adequate brake, which may be operated by hand or by foot.
(3) Every motorized bicycle shall be equipped with brakes meeting the rules adopted by the Director of Public Safety under R.C. § 4511.521.
(4) When operated upon the highways, the following vehicles shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the vehicle, designed to be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab, and also designed and connected so that, in case of a breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall be automatically applied:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, every trailer or semitrailer, except a pole trailer, with an empty weight of 2,000 pounds or more, manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1942;
(b) Every manufactured home or travel trailer with an empty weight of 2,000 pounds or more, manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 2001.
(5) Every watercraft trailer with a gross weight or manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of 3,000 pounds or more that is manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 2008, shall have separate brakes equipped with hydraulic surge or electrically operated brakes on two wheels.
(6) In any combination of motor-drawn trailers or semitrailers equipped with brakes, means shall be provided for applying the rearmost brakes in approximate synchronism with the brakes on the towing vehicle, and developing the required braking effort on the rearmost wheels at the fastest rate; or means shall be provided for applying braking effort first on the rearmost brakes; or both of the above means, capable of being used alternatively, may be employed.
(7) Every vehicle and combination of vehicles, except motorcycles and motorized bicycles, and except trailers and semitrailers of a gross weight of less than 2,000 pounds, and pole trailers, shall be equipped with parking brakes adequate to hold the vehicle on any grade on which it is operated, under all conditions of loading, on a surface free from snow, ice, or loose material. The parking brakes shall be capable of being applied in conformance with the foregoing requirements by the driver’s muscular effort or by spring action or by equivalent means. Their operation may be assisted by the service brakes or other source of power provided that failure of the service brake actuation system or other power assisting mechanism will not prevent the parking brakes from being applied in conformance with the foregoing requirements. The parking brakes shall be so designed that when once applied they shall remain applied with the required effectiveness despite exhaustion of any source of energy or leakage of any kind.
(8) The same brake drums, brake shoes and lining assemblies, brake shoe anchors, and mechanical brake shoe actuation mechanism normally associated with the wheel brake assemblies may be used for both the service brakes and the parking brakes. If the means of applying the parking brakes and the service brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part shall not leave the vehicle without operative brakes.
(9) Every motor vehicle or combination of motor-drawn vehicles shall, at all times and under all conditions of loading, be capable of being stopped on a dry, smooth, level road free from loose material, upon application of the service or foot brake, within the following specified distances, or shall be capable of being decelerated at a sustained rate corresponding to these distances:
(a) Vehicles or combinations of vehicles having brakes on all wheels shall come to a stop in 30 feet or less from a speed of 20 miles per hour.
(b) Vehicles or combinations of vehicles not having brakes on all wheels shall come to a stop in 40 feet or less from a speed of 20 miles per hour.
(10) All brakes shall be maintained in good working order and shall be so adjusted as to operate as equally as practicable with respect to the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle.
(R.C. § 4513.20) (Rev. 2008)
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.99) (Rev. 2013)
(A) No hydraulic brake fluid for use in motor vehicles shall be sold in this municipality if the brake fluid is below the minimum standard of specifications for heavy duty type brake fluid established by the society of automotive engineers and the standard of specifications established by 49 C.F.R. § 571.116, as amended.
(B) All manufacturers, packers, or distributors of brake fluid selling such fluid in this municipality shall state on the containers that the brake fluid meets or exceeds the applicable minimum SAE standard of specifications, and the standard of specifications established in 49 C.F.R. § 571.116, as amended.
(R.C. § 4513.201) (Rev. 1998)
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.99) (Rev. 2013)
(A) No brake lining, brake lining material, or brake lining assemblies for use as repair and replacement parts in motor vehicles shall be sold in this municipality if these items do not meet or exceed the minimum standard of specifications established by the Society of Automotive Engineers and the standard of specifications established in 49 C.F.R. § 571.105, as amended, and 49 C.F.R. § 571.135, as amended.
(B) All manufacturers or distributors of brake lining, brake lining material, or brake lining assemblies selling these items for use as repair and replacement parts in motor vehicles shall state that the items meet or exceed the applicable minimum standard of specifications.
(C) As used in this section, MINIMUM STANDARD OF SPECIFICATIONS means a minimum standard for brake system or brake component performance that meets the need for motor vehicle safety and complies with the applicable SAE standards and recommended practices, and the federal motor vehicle safety standards that cover the same aspect of performance for any brake lining, brake lining material, or brake lining assemblies.
(R.C. § 4513.202) (Rev. 1998)
(D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.99) (Rev. 2013)
(A) (1) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn which is in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible, under normal conditions, from a distance of not less than 200 feet.
(2) No motor vehicle shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle, any siren, whistle, or bell. Any vehicle may be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which shall be so arranged that it cannot be used as an ordinary warning signal. Every emergency vehicle shall be equipped with a siren, whistle or bell, capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet and of a type approved by the Director of Public Safety. Such equipment shall not be used except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or is in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which case the driver of the emergency vehicle shall sound such equipment when it is necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.21) (Rev. 2010)
(A) (1) Every motor vehicle and motorcycle with an internal combustion engine shall at all times be equipped with a muffler which is in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway. Every motorcycle muffler shall be equipped with baffle plates.
(2) No person shall own, operate or have in the person’s possession any motor vehicle or motorcycle equipped with a device for producing excessive smoke or gas, or so equipped as to permit oil or any other chemical to flow into or upon the exhaust pipe or muffler of such vehicle, or equipped in any way to produce or emit smoke or dangerous or annoying gases from any portion of such vehicle, other than the ordinary gases emitted by the exhaust of an internal combustion engine under normal operation.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.22) (Rev. 2010)
(A) Every motor vehicle and motorcycle shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the operator a view of the highway to the rear of such vehicle or motorcycle. Operators of vehicles and motorcycles shall have a clear and unobstructed view to the front and to both sides of their vehicles and motorcycles and shall have a clear view to the rear of their vehicles and motorcycles by mirror.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.23) (Rev. 2010)
(A) No person shall drive any motor vehicle on a street or highway in this municipality, other than a motorcycle or motorized bicycle, that is not equipped with a windshield.
(B) (1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle, other than a bus, with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, sidewings, side, or rear windows of such vehicle other than a certificate or other paper required to be displayed by law, except that there may be in the lower left-hand or right-hand corner of the windshield a sign, poster, or decal not to exceed four inches in height by six inches in width. No sign, poster, or decal shall be displayed in the front windshield in such a manner as to conceal the vehicle identification number for the motor vehicle when, in accordance with federal law, that number is located inside the vehicle passenger compartment and so placed as to be readable through the vehicle glazing without moving any part of the vehicle.
(2) Division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to a person who is driving a passenger car with an electronic device, including an antenna, electronic tolling or other transponder, camera, directional navigation device, or other similar electronic device located in the front windshield if either of the following apply to the device:
(a) It is a “vehicle safety technology” as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 393.5 and complies with 49 C.F.R. § 393.60(e)(1)(ii).
(b) It does not restrict the vehicle operator’s sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals, and it does not conceal the vehicle identification number.
(3) Division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to a person who is driving a commercial car with an electronic device, including an antenna, electronic tolling or other transponder, camera, directional navigation device, or other similar electronic device located in the front windshield if either of the following apply to the device:
(a) It is a “vehicle safety technology” as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 393.5 and complies with 49 C.F.R. § 393.60(e)(1)(ii).
(b) It does not restrict the vehicle operator’s sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals, and it is mounted not more than 8.5 inches below the upper edge of the windshield.
(C) The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield. The device shall be maintained in good working order and so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the operator of the vehicle.
(D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.24) (Rev. 2024)
(A) Every solid tire, as defined in R.C. § 4501.01, on a vehicle shall have rubber or other resilient material on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery.
(R.C. § 4513.25)
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.99) (Rev. 2013)
(A) Safety glass.
(1) No person shall sell any new motor vehicle nor shall any new motor vehicle be registered, and no person shall operate any motor vehicle, which is registered in this state and which has been manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1936, unless the motor vehicle is equipped with safety glass, wherever glass is used in the windshields, doors, partitions, rear windows, and windows on each side immediately adjacent to the rear window.
(2) As used in this section, SAFETY GLASS means any product composed of glass so manufactured, fabricated, or treated as substantially to prevent shattering and flying of the glass when it is struck or broken, or such other or similar product as may be approved by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
(3) Glass other than safety glass shall not be offered for sale, or sold for use in, or installed in any door, window, partition, or windshield that is required by this section to be equipped with safety glass.
(R.C. § 4513.26)
(B) Tinted or reflectorized material.
(1) No person shall operate, on any highway or other public or private property open to the public for vehicular travel or parking, lease, or rent any motor vehicle that is registered in this state unless the motor vehicle conforms to the requirements concerning tinted glass and reflectorized material of R.C. § 4513.241 and of any applicable rule adopted under that section.
(2) No person shall install in or on any motor vehicle, any glass or other material that fails to conform to the requirements of R.C. § 4513.241 or of any rule adopted under that section.
(3) (a) No used motor vehicle dealer or new motor vehicle dealer, as defined in R.C. § 4517.01, shall sell any motor vehicle that fails to conform to the requirements of R.C. § 4513.241 or of any rule adopted under that section.
(b) No manufacturer, remanufacturer, or distributor, as defined in R.C. § 4517.01, shall provide to a motor vehicle dealer licensed under R.C. Chapter 4517 or to any other person, a motor vehicle that fails to conform to the requirements of R.C. § 4513.241 or of any rule adopted under that section.
(4) No reflectorized materials shall be permitted upon or in any front windshield, side windows, sidewings, or rear window.
(5) This division (B) does not apply to the manufacturer’s tinting or glazing of motor vehicle windows or windshields that is otherwise in compliance with or permitted by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #205.
(6) With regard to any side window behind a driver’s seat or any rear window other than any window on an emergency door, this division (B) does not apply to any school bus used to transport a child with disabilities pursuant to R.C. Chapter 3323, whom it is impossible or impractical to transport by regular school bus in the course of regular route transportation provided by a school district. As used in this division, CHILD WITH DISABILITIES has the same meaning as in R.C. § 3323.01.
(7) This division (B) does not apply to any school bus that is to be sold and operated outside the municipality.
(8) (a) This division (B) does not apply to a motor vehicle used by a law enforcement agency under either of the following circumstances:
1. The vehicle does not have distinctive markings of a law enforcement vehicle but is operated by or on behalf of the law enforcement agency in an authorized investigation or other activity requiring that the presence and identity of the vehicle occupants be undisclosed.
2. The vehicle primarily is used by the law enforcement canine unit for transporting a police dog.
(b) As used in this division, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY means a police department, the office of a sheriff, the State Highway Patrol, a county prosecuting attorney, or a federal, state, or local governmental body that enforces criminal laws and that has employees who have a statutory power of arrest.
(R.C. § 4513.241(C) - (J)) (Rev. 2014)
(C) (1) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.99) (Rev. 2013)
(2) Whoever violates division (B)(1),(B)(3)(b) or (B)(4) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(3) Whoever violates division (B)(3)(a) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor if the dealer or the dealer’s agent knew of the nonconformity at the time of sale.
(4) (a) Whoever violates division (B)(2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, except that an organization may not be convicted unless the act of installation was authorized by the board of directors, trustees, partners, or by a high managerial officer acting on behalf of the organization, and installation was performed by an employee of the organization acting within the scope of the person’s employment.
(b) In addition to any other penalty imposed under this section, whoever violates division (B)(2) of this section is liable in a civil action to the owner of a motor vehicle on which was installed the nonconforming glass or material for any damages incurred by that person as a result of the installation of the nonconforming glass or material, costs of maintaining the civil action, and attorney fees.
(c) In addition to any other penalty imposed under this section, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (B)(2) of this section and the offender is a motor vehicle repair operator registered under R.C. Chapter 4775 or a motor vehicle dealer licensed under R.C. Chapter 4517, whoever violates division (B)(2) of this section is subject to a registration or license suspension, as applicable, for a period of not more than 180 days.
(R.C. § 4513.241(K)) (Rev. 2014)
Statutory reference:Recording and reporting violations, certain court requirements, see R.C. § 4513.241(L)Regulations, see O.A.C. Chapter 4501-41(A) (1) No person shall operate any motor vehicle manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1954, unless the vehicle is equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals.
(2) No person shall operate any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1968, unless the vehicle is equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals.
(B) As used in this section, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS means an electrical or mechanical signal device capable of clearly indicating an intention to turn either to the right or to the left and which shall be visible from both the front and rear.
(C) All mechanical signal devices shall be self- illuminating devices when in use at the times mentioned in R.C. § 4513.03 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
(D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.261) (Rev. 2004)
(A) As used in this section and in R.C. § 4513.263 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the component parts of a seat safety belt include a belt, anchor attachment assembly, and a buckle or closing device.
(B) No person shall sell, lease, rent, or operate any passenger car, as defined in R.C. § 4501.01(E), that is registered or to be registered in this state and that is manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1962, unless the passenger car is equipped with sufficient anchorage units at the attachment points for attaching at least two sets of seat safety belts to its front seat. Such anchorage units at the attachment points shall be of such construction, design, and strength to support a loop load pull of not less than 4,000 pounds for each belt.
(C) No person shall sell, lease, or rent any passenger car, as defined in R.C. § 4501.01(E), that is registered or to be registered in this state and that is manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1966, unless the passenger car has installed in its front seat at least two seat safety belt assemblies.
(D) After January 1, 1966, neither any seat safety belt for use in a motor vehicle nor any component part of any such seat safety belt shall be sold in this municipality unless the seat safety belt or the component part satisfies the minimum standard of specifications established by the society of automotive engineers for automotive seat belts and unless the seat safety belt or component part is labeled so as to indicate that it meets those minimum standard specifications.
(E) Each sale, lease, or rental in violation of this section constitutes a separate offense.
(F) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.262) (Rev. 2004)
Statutory reference:Child restraint systems, regulations, see O.A.C. Chapter 4501-37(A) No person shall operate any motor truck, bus, or commercial tractor upon any highway at any time from sunset to sunrise unless there is carried in such vehicle, except as provided in division (B) of this section, the following equipment which shall be of the types approved by the Director of Transportation.
(1) At least three flares or three red reflectors or three red electric lanterns, each of which is capable of being seen and distinguished at a distance of 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at nighttime;
(2) At least three red-burning fusees, unless red reflectors or red electric lanterns are carried;
(3) At least two red cloth flags, not less than two inches square, with standards to support them;
(4) The type of red reflectors shall comply with such standards and specifications in effect on September 16, 1963, or later established by the Interstate Commerce Commission and must be certified as meeting such standards by Underwriters Laboratories.
(B) No person shall operate at the time and under the conditions stated in this section any motor vehicle used in transporting flammable liquids in bulk, or in transporting compressed flammable gases, unless there is carried in such vehicle three red electric lanterns or three red reflectors meeting the requirements stated in division (A) of this section. There shall not be carried in any such vehicle any flare, fusee, or signal produced by a flame.
(C) This section does not apply to any person who operates any motor vehicle in a work area designated by protection equipment devices that are displayed and used in accordance with the manual adopted by the Department of Transportation under R.C. § 4511.09.
(R.C. § 4513.27) (Rev. 2001)
(D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.99) (Rev. 2013)
(A) Whenever any motor truck, bus, commercial tractor, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is disabled upon any freeway, expressway, thruway and connecting, entering, or exiting ramps within the municipality, at any time when lighted lamps are required on vehicles, the operator of such vehicle shall display the following warning devices upon the highway during the time the vehicle is so disabled on the highway except as provided in division (B) of this section:
(1) A lighted fusee shall be immediately placed on the roadway at the traffic side of such vehicle, unless red electric lanterns or red reflectors are displayed.
(2) Within the burning period of the fusee and as promptly as possible, three lighted flares or pot torches, or three red reflectors or three red electric lanterns shall be placed on the roadway as follows:
(a) One at a distance of 40 paces or approximately 100 feet in advance of the vehicle;
(b) One at a distance of 40 paces or approximately 100 feet to the rear of the vehicle, except as provided in this section, each in the center of the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle;
(c) One at the traffic side of the vehicle.
(B) Whenever any vehicle used in transporting flammable liquids in bulk, or in transporting compressed flammable gases, is disabled upon a highway at any time or place mentioned in division (A) of this section, the driver of such vehicle shall display upon the roadway the following warning devices:
(1) One red electric lantern or one red reflector shall be immediately placed on the roadway at the traffic side of the vehicle;
(2) Two other red electric lanterns or two other red reflectors shall be placed to the front and rear of the vehicle in the same manner prescribed for flares in division (A) of this section.
(C) When a vehicle of a type specified in division (B) of this section is disabled, the use of flares, fusees, or any signal produced by flame as warning signals is prohibited.
(D) Whenever any vehicle of a type referred to in this section is disabled upon any freeway, expressway, thruway, and connecting, entering, or exiting ramps within the municipality, at any time when the display of fusees, flares, red reflectors, or electric lanterns is not required, the operator of such vehicle shall display two red flags upon the roadway in the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle, one at a distance of 40 paces or approximately 100 feet in advance of the vehicle, and one at a distance of 40 paces or approximately 100 feet to the rear of the vehicle, except as provided in this section.
(E) The flares, fusees, lanterns, red reflectors, and flags to be displayed as required in this section shall conform with the applicable requirements of R.C. § 4513.27 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
(F) In the event the vehicle is disabled near a curve, crest of a hill, or other obstruction of view, the flare, flag, reflector, or lantern in that direction shall be placed as to afford ample warning to other users of the highway, but in no case shall it be placed less than 40 paces or approximately 100 feet nor more than 120 paces or approximately 300 feet from the disabled vehicle.
(G) This section does not apply to the operator of any vehicle in a work area designated by protection equipment devices that are displayed and used in accordance with the manual adopted by the Department of Transportation under R.C. § 4511.09.
(H) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.28) (Rev. 2010)
(A) Any person operating any vehicle transporting explosives upon a highway shall at all times comply with the following requirements:
(1) The vehicle shall be marked or placarded on each side and on the rear with the word “EXPLOSIVES” in letters not less than eight inches high, or there shall be displayed on the rear of such vehicle a red flag not less than 24 inches square marked with the word “DANGER” in white letters six inches high, or shall be marked or placarded in accordance with Section 177.823 of the United States Department of Transportation regulations.
(2) The vehicle shall be equipped with not less than two fire extinguishers, filled and ready for immediate use, and placed at convenient points on such vehicle.
(R.C. § 4513.29)
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.99) (Rev. 2013)
(A) For the purposes of this section, STUDDED TIRE means any tire designed for use on a vehicle and equipped with metal studs or studs of wear-resisting material that project beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire.
(B) (1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, no person shall operate any motor vehicle other than a public safety vehicle or school bus that is equipped with studded tires on any street or highway in this municipality, except during the period extending from the first day of November of each year through the fifteenth day of April of the succeeding year.
(2) A person may operate a motor vehicle that is equipped with retractable studded tires with the studs retracted at any time of the year, but shall operate the motor vehicle with the studs extended only as provided in division (B)(1) of this section.
(C) This section does not apply to the use of tire chains when there is snow or ice on the streets or highways where such chains are being used, or the immediate vicinity thereof.
(R.C. § 5589.081) (Rev. 2009)
(D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 5589.99(B))
(A) Definitions. As used in this section:
BUS.
(a) Means any vehicle used for the transportation of passengers that meets at least one of the following:
1. Was originally designed by the manufacturer to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver;
2. Either the gross vehicle weight rating or the gross vehicle weight exceeds 10,000 pounds.
(b) The term does not include a church bus as defined in R.C. § 4503.07 or a school bus unless the church bus or school bus is used in the transportation of passengers by a motor carrier.
(c) The term also does not include any of the following:
1. Any vehicle operated exclusively on a rail or rails;
2. A trolley bus operated by electric power derived from a fixed overhead wire furnishing local passenger transportation similar to street-railway service;
3. Vehicles owned or leased by government agencies or political subdivisions.
MOTOR CARRIER. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 4923.01
(R.C. § 4513.50) (Rev. 2013)
(B) Safety inspection decals.
(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, on and after July 1, 2001, no person shall operate a bus, nor shall any person being the owner of a bus or having supervisory responsibility for a bus, permit the operation of any bus unless the bus displays a valid, current safety inspection decal issued by the State Highway Patrol under R.C. § 4513.52.
(2) For the purpose of complying with the requirements of this section and R.C. § 4513.52, the owner or other operator of a bus may drive the bus directly to an inspection site conducted by the State Highway Patrol and directly back to the person’s place of business without a valid registration and without displaying a safety inspection decal, provided that no passengers may occupy the bus during such operation.
(R.C. § 4513.51(A), (B))
(C) Whoever violates division (B)(1) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(R.C. § 4513.51(D)) (Rev. 2004)
(A) As used in this section:
AIR BAG. Has the same meaning as in 49 C.F.R. § 579.4, as amended.
COUNTERFEIT AIR BAG. An air bag displaying a mark identical or similar to the genuine mark of a motor vehicle manufacturer, without the authorization of the motor vehicle manufacturer.
NONFUNCTIONAL AIR BAG. Any of the following:
(a) A replacement air bag that has been previously deployed or damaged;
(b) A replacement air bag that has an electrical fault that is detected by the air bag diagnostic system of a vehicle after the air bag is installed;
(c) A counterfeit air bag, air bag cover, or some other object that is installed in a vehicle to deceive an owner or operator of the vehicle into believing that a functional air bag has been installed.
(B) No person shall install or reinstall in any motor vehicle a counterfeit or nonfunctional air bag or any object intended to fulfill the function of an air bag other than an air bag that was designed in conformance with or that is regulated by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 208 for the make, model, and model year of the vehicle, knowing that the object is not in accordance with that standard.
(C) No person shall knowingly manufacture, import, sell, or offer for sale any of the following:
(1) A counterfeit air bag;
(2) A nonfunctional air bag;
(3) Any other object that is intended to be installed in a motor vehicle to fulfill the function of an air bag and that is not in conformance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 208 for the make, model, and model year of the vehicle in which the object is intended to be installed.
(D) No person shall knowingly sell, install, or reinstall a device in a motor vehicle that causes the diagnostic system of a vehicle to inaccurately indicate that the vehicle is equipped with a functional air bag.
(E) (1) Whoever violates division (B) or (D) of this section is guilty of improper replacement of a motor vehicle air bag, a misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense. On each subsequent offense, or if the violation results in serious physical harm to an individual, the person is guilty of a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(2) A violation of division (C) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(3) Each manufacture, importation, installation, reinstallation, sale, or offer for sale in violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct violation.
(R.C. § 4549.20) (Rev. 2015)