In January, House Bill 154 was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. John Kasich. Surprisingly, this bill appears to allow Ohio drivers to legally run red lights, while the text of the legislation says anything but.
Despite its controversial nature, most citizens have not heard about the new legislation.
The authors of the bill did not intend for people to barrel through red lights without yielding to oncoming traffic, but the tendency for such rumors to travel by word-of-mouth has caused confusion.
The relevant information from House Bill 154 can be read here, courtesy of the Ohio Legislature:
“SECTION 1. That sections 4511.132 and 4511.27 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 4511.132. (A) The driver of a vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley who approaches an intersection where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals shall do all of the following, if the signal facing the driver either exhibits no colored lights or colored lighted arrows or , exhibits a combination of such lights or arrows that fails to clearly indicate the assignment of right-of-way, or the signals are otherwise malfunctioning, including the failure of a vehicle detector to detect the vehicle:
(1) Stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, stop before entering the intersection;
(2) Yield the right-of-way to all vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys in the intersection or approaching on an intersecting road, if the vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys will constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways;
(3) Exercise ordinary care while proceeding through the intersection.”
(it may be better to put the above quote in some kind of box on its own)
Drivers must continue to obey traffic signals. The bill allows those stuck at malfunctioning traffic lights to yield to any oncoming traffic, and then proceed through the red light. It does not allow someone to run a red light without stopping.
Driving instructors may have a hard time explaining the rationale of the legislation to young drivers. Inexperienced drivers (or even well-seasoned drivers) could misjudge the distance of oncoming traffic or could use the new law to run any red light they encounter.
The law also fails to mention how long one must yield at a red light, so there is a lot open to interpretation. Drivers who think they are obeying this new law could be pulled over for running a red light.
Motorcyclists could also face an increased risk on roadways. Despite increased awareness about bikers due to the “Look twice, Save a life” campaign, this new law could put them in danger. Smaller vehicles should be cautious of cars that seem stopped at red lights, just in case they pull out.
If you are just hearing about this law, please don’t use it as an excuse for reckless driving. Defensive driving is always better than offensive driving. Use caution at all times, but if you’re stuck at a red light in the middle of the night, I’m sure no one will mind if you glide through the intersection.
