ENON – The Enon Village Council suspended the three-reading rule and unanimously adopted emergency ordinance 2017-02 on March 14 that updates a number of village codes to comply with recent changes to state laws.
The enactments made by the Ohio General Assembly brought about changes to 13 village’s traffic codes, 20 general offenses codes and one fire prevention code, according to Enon Mayor Tim Howard.
Amendments to Village Traffic Codes 301.04 and 301.19 consisted of the general definition of a bicycle, motorized bicycle or moped, and motorcycle. The amendment at the state level primarily involves Section H of ORC 4511.01 and became effective Jan. 1, 2017.
The ordinance also included an amendment to Village Traffic Code 313.09, which defines a driver’s duties upon approaching an ambiguous traffic signal. When a signal loses power, the intersection becomes uncontrolled, and motorists are to revert to the basic right-of-way rules found in amended ORC 4511.132, that went into effect this week.
The 131st Ohio General Assembly also made changes to ORC 4511.27, effective March 21, which coincides with Village Traffic Code 331.03. This amended traffic code relates to the overtaking and passing of vehicles that are proceeding in the same direction on a two-lane roadway.
Amendments were made to Village Traffic Code 331.21 that governs the right of way of a public safety or coroner’s vehicle. According to Section E of ORC 4511.01, private ambulances, police or sheriff’s cruisers, and vehicles used by fire departments and emergency medical service are regarded as public safety vehicles. The right-of-way rules of this amended village traffic code are designed to promote traffic safety in the village.
Rules and regulations were added to Village Traffic Code 331.211 that governs the reporting of a vehicle that fails to yield the right-of-way to a public safety vehicle. These additions conform with the add-ons to ORC 4511.454, which became effective in September 2016.
Additions were also made to two village traffic codes that pertain to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles in the village. Village Traffic Code 335.021 requires all residents, who operate a motor vehicle, hold an Ohio driver’s license, and Village Traffic Code 335.111 calls for the registration of a vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency. These village codes conform to ORC 4507.01 which became effective Jan. 1. 2017.
Although owners of motor vehicles must continue to display a license plate on both the front and back of a motor vehicle, the Ohio General Assembly did make other changes to ORC 4503.19 and 4503.191. This brought about amendments to Village Traffic Codes 335.09 and 331.10, which pertain to the display of license plates and expired or unlawful license plates.
Some modifications were also made to Village Traffic Codes 335.12 and 335.13 that dictates a driver’s responsibility when involved in an accident or collision on local roadways and on property other than the street. The amended codes state that a driver shall remain at the scene until specific information is exchanged with the other driver, the police or both. The 131st Ohio General Assembly approved the changes to these traffic codes which went into effect in September 2016.
Amended Village Traffic Code 373.02, which governs bicyclists and motorcyclists in the village, focuses on the rules and regulations about riding upon a secured bike seats, the height of handlebars, helmets, which are required for bicyclists and bicycle passengers under age 18, and safety glasses or other protective eye devices.
Howard said these amendments to the traffic codes are already noted in the ORC.
A long list of amended codes regarding general offenses is also included in the approved emergency ordinance. These codes cover a large range of topics such as limitation of criminal prosecution, cruelty to companion animals, assaulting an assistance or police dog, assaulting a police horse, menacing by stalking, telecommunications harassment, criminal child endangerment, criminal mischief and vehicular vandalism.
A number of drug-related codes were amended to conform with new state laws, including controlled substances possession, possessing drug abuse instruments, permitting drug abuse, possessing or using harmful ingredients, illegally dispensing drug samples, possessing nitrous oxide in a motor vehicle, and drug and marijuana paraphernalia. Changes were made to two codes relating to the definition of liquor and the circumstances when an open liquor container is prohibited.
An amendment to a fire prevention code that governs fireworks possession and the prohibiting of the sale and discharge of fireworks defines conditions hazardous to life and property from fire, explosion, and the handling or use of hazardous materials.
“This ordinance is necessary to officially bring up-to-date these traffic and general offences codes so our village codes are in compliance with state law,” said Howard.
