Ohio Work Zone Laws

How Ohio handles work zones

Ohio doubles the fine for a speeding or moving violation in a posted construction zone, but only when signs are up and the violation happens during hours of actual work (ORC 4511.98). Off-hours with no work going on, the fine is not doubled, though the posted limit still binds you. Ohio's hands-free law (ORC 4511.204) bans holding a phone statewide. There is no state work-zone speed-camera program, and state law tightly restricts local traffic cameras.

Speed, fines, phone, and the flagger

• Speed rule: Obey the posted reduced construction-zone limit. The doubled fine bites only when the proper signs are up and the violation happens during hours of actual work in the zone (ORC 4511.98). Off-hours with no work underway, the fine is not doubled, but the posted limit still holds.
• Fine multiplier: Fines doubled. A speeding or moving violation in a posted construction zone during active work hours costs twice the normal fine (ORC 4511.98). Active-work trigger, not an always-on rule.
• Phone in a work zone: Restricted — put it down
• Flagger authority: Obey the flagger. A work-zone flagger's STOP/SLOW paddle is a traffic-control device, and no driver may disobey a lawfully placed traffic-control device (ORC 4511.12). Ignoring a flagger in an active work zone is citable, and the fine doubles under the construction-zone rule (ORC 4511.98).
• Base fine: A first speeding ticket is a minor misdemeanor, up to about $150, doubled to roughly $300 in a construction zone during active work. The exact base varies by court and how far over you were.

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