GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Ohio. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Helmets required for riders under 18 or who have been licensed for less than one year as well as for all passengers when the operator is required to wear a helmet. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
4 years
None
Per se >0 for some drugs
Decriminalized and legal for medical use
THC per se (2 ng)
70
70
65
65
70
70
90 days
After 15 days
Mandatory for repeat convictions
No
No
0.17
Under 4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat, following manufacturer instructions
4-8 yrs, over 40 lbs and under 4'9" tall in booster seat, following manufacturer instructions
8-15 yrs
Nighttime driving: 18 years Driving with passengers: 17 years
15 / 6
6
50 (10)
16
Age 16: Midnight - 6 a.m. Age 17: 1 a.m. - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)
First 12 months, no more than 1 unless supervised
Secondary
8 and over
8-14 yrs: All (primary enforcement) 15 and over: Front
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Permitted by state law
Statewide; not permitted on interstates when operated by townships
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Statewide
A massive push in the form of dollars has been awarded to traffic safety programs throughout Ohio. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is awarding $24 million in grants for statewide programming for traffic safety improvements and to reduce traffic-related fatalities.
December 16, 2024
The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is taking proactive measures to ensure safe travel during the Thanksgiving holiday by offering $20 rideshare credits to drivers across the state. This initiative, funded by a grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association in partnership with Lyft, aims to provide an alternative to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2024
CONTACT: Adam Snider (GHSA), 202-580-7930, 202-365-8971 (cell)
press@lyft.com (Lyft)
$40,000 in grants will support two state’s public outreach promoting the use of ride-hailing as a safer alternative to driving impaired
GHSA has again partnered with Lyft to provide financial support for initiatives to promote ride-hailing rather than driving after consuming alcohol and/or other impairing substances. The State Highway Safety Offices in Ohio and Maryland each received $20,000 for fall campaigns designed to encourage people to make the responsible decision and leave the driving to someone who is sober.
More than 40,000 people die every year on U.S. roads, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. When people think about a public health crisis, they may think about the flu or other diseases, but experts say crashes are also among these topics.
Story by Silver Barker
August 19, 2024
GHSA and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) today released a new report addressing the growing concern over smartphone-induced distracted driving. The report proposes states implement a multi-faceted approach to improve road safety that includes the adoption of strong and clear laws, which CMT research confirms have a positive impact on distraction rates.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2024
Contacts: Adam Snider (GHSA), 202-580-7930, 202-365-8971 (after hours)
Lisa-Marie Pascuccio (CMT)
Governors Highway Safety Association, Cambridge Mobile Telematics release "A Road Map for Safer Roads" to highlight comprehensive strategies to combat distracted driving
Eye-detecting technology and training will help Ohio law enforcement spot impaired drivers and get them off the roads. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office was given a $15,087 grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association and Responsibility.org to provide more training to officers.
Alcohol, cannabis and multi-substance impaired driving have surged in recent years and account for about one-third of traffic fatalities annually in this country. A new round of grants aims to help lower that death toll by providing law enforcement officers with tools, resources and training to better identify impaired drivers and remove them from the road.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Responsibility.org have awarded $120,000 in grants to four State Highway Safety Offices (SHSO) for programs designed to combat alcohol, cannabis and multi-substance impaired driving, which accounts for approximately one-third of U.S. traffic deaths annually.
