Proposed New Ohio Law
Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:38 pm
This is a post from the Mav/Comet Forum.
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If you live in Ohio please read and sign.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/automo ... durban-law
The bill is presented as a law to crack down on street racing by introducing new, stiffer penalties, and creates a new charge, "Street
Racing Manslaughter". While I am all for stiffer penalties, the law also includes an expanded definition of "street racing" that includes:
Sec. 4511.251.(A)(1)(c) Any exhibition of speed or acceleration that is inconsistent with the normal operation of a vehicle on a public road, street, or highway.
This leaves so much room for interpretation that a law enforcement officer could easily arrest and jail a person EVEN IF THE DRIVER HAS NOT VIOLATED ANY CURRENT LAW. The simple act of speeding up to pass a slower vehicle, or accelerating harder away from a light than absolutely necessary, or taking a corner or turn harder than an officer feels is needed, can now be considered to be "street racing" as defined by this law. The potential for abuse is horrendous, and this law MUST NOT be allowed to pass with this section included.
The new Bill would also REQUIRE the seizure of any vehicle involved in "street racing", with no sentencing discretion given to the courts.
The summary of the bill that is given to each Representative or Senator:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/anal ... -i-128.htm
The Bill as written, with full legalese intact: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/Bill ... 1_I_Y.html
I don't condone street racing but to have my car taken because some law officer was having a bad day isn't gonna happen. I'll die before they do that.
***********************************************
If you live in Ohio please read and sign.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/automo ... durban-law
The bill is presented as a law to crack down on street racing by introducing new, stiffer penalties, and creates a new charge, "Street
Racing Manslaughter". While I am all for stiffer penalties, the law also includes an expanded definition of "street racing" that includes:
Sec. 4511.251.(A)(1)(c) Any exhibition of speed or acceleration that is inconsistent with the normal operation of a vehicle on a public road, street, or highway.
This leaves so much room for interpretation that a law enforcement officer could easily arrest and jail a person EVEN IF THE DRIVER HAS NOT VIOLATED ANY CURRENT LAW. The simple act of speeding up to pass a slower vehicle, or accelerating harder away from a light than absolutely necessary, or taking a corner or turn harder than an officer feels is needed, can now be considered to be "street racing" as defined by this law. The potential for abuse is horrendous, and this law MUST NOT be allowed to pass with this section included.
The new Bill would also REQUIRE the seizure of any vehicle involved in "street racing", with no sentencing discretion given to the courts.
The summary of the bill that is given to each Representative or Senator:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/anal ... -i-128.htm
The Bill as written, with full legalese intact: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/Bill ... 1_I_Y.html
I don't condone street racing but to have my car taken because some law officer was having a bad day isn't gonna happen. I'll die before they do that.