5501.27 Increased penalties for traffic violations in construction zone.

(A) The director of transportation shall adopt rules that do the following:

(1) Rules governing the posting of signs advising motorists that increased penalties apply for certain traffic violations occurring on streets or highways in a construction zone;

(2) Rules governing the posting of signs to be used pursuant to section 2903.081 of the Revised Code giving notice to motorists of the prohibitions set forth in sections 2903.06 and 2903.08 of the Revised Code regarding the death of or injury to any person in a construction zone as a proximate result of a reckless operation offense or speeding offense.

(B) The rules required under divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section shall include guidelines to determine which areas are appropriate to the posting of such signs. The guidelines may include consideration of the following: the duration of the work on the street or highway, the proximity of workers to moving traffic, the existence of any unusual or hazardous conditions, the volume of traffic on the street or highway, and any other appropriate factors. The director shall formulate design specifications for the signs described in division (A)(1) of this section advising motorists of the increased penalties and the signs described in division (A)(2) of this section notifying motorists of the prohibitions set forth in sections 2903.06 and 2903.08 of the Revised Code regarding the death of or injury to any person in a construction zone as a proximate result of a reckless operation offense or speeding offense as described in that division. For purposes of traffic violation penalties, nothing in this section is intended to conflict with any standard set forth in the federal manual of uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways.

(C) As used in this section and in section 4511.98 of the Revised Code, "construction zone" means that lane or portion of street or highway open to vehicular traffic and adjacent to a lane, berm, or shoulder of a street or highway within which lane, berm, or shoulder construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, or any other work of a repair or maintenance nature, including public utility work, is being conducted, commencing with the point where the first worker or piece of equipment is located and ending where the last worker or piece of equipment is located.