§ 4511.714 — Operation of vehicle on roadway covered by water

Ohio § 4511.714

• Jurisdiction: Ohio
• Title 45: Motor Vehicles-Aeronautics-Watercraft
• Ch. 4511: Traffic Laws - Operation Of Motor Vehicles

Text

(A) No person shall operate a vehicle on or onto a public street or highway that is temporarily covered by a rise in water level, including groundwater or an overflow of water, and that is clearly marked by a sign that specifies that the road is closed due to the rise in water level and that any person who uses the closed portion of the road may be fined up to two thousand dollars.

(B) A person who is issued a citation for a violation of division (A) of this section is not permitted to enter a written plea of guilty and waive the person's right to contest the citation in court, but instead must appear in person in the proper court to answer the charge.

(C)(1) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(2) In addition to the financial sanctions authorized or required under section2929.28of the Revised Code and to any costs otherwise authorized or required under any provision of law, the court imposing the sentence upon an offender who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of division (A) of this section shall order the offender to reimburse one or more rescuers for the cost any such rescuer incurred in rescuing the person, excluding any cost of transporting the rescued person to a hospital or other facility for treatment of injuries, up to a cumulative maximum of two thousand dollars. If more than one rescuer was involved in the emergency response, the court shall allocate the reimbursement proportionately, according to the cost each rescuer incurred. A financial sanction imposed under this section is a judgment in favor of the rescuer and, subject to a determination of indigency under division (B) of section2929.28of the Revised Code, a rescuer may collect the financial sanction in the same manner as provided in section2929.28of the Revised Code.

(D) As used in this section:

(1) "Emergency medical service organization," "firefighting agency," and "private fire company" have the same meanings as in section9.60of the Revised Code.

(2) "Rescuer" means a state agency, political subdivision, firefighting agency, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization.

Legislative History

Effective: March 23, 2015 | Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 106 - 130th General Assembly