331.41 SHORTCUTTING; AVOIDING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. 331.41 SHORTCUTTING; AVOIDING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. Document type section Identifier 331.41 Citation § 331.41 Ordinances detected S, 116-84, ER, ERED, THAT, 42-72 Original source American Legal Publishing Content hash 0eb868074fb3ee6842f9ca4cc73dd99fcf71f2caf2a86ac8ec221314c0dad4f4 Skip to main content Search Sitemap Login Select Language Resources Skip to code content (skip section selection) 2025-04 (current) Sheffield Lake Overview Codified Ordinances of Sheffield Lake, OH CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SHEFFIELD LAKE, OHIO CERTIFICATION ROSTER OF OFFICIALS ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 116-84 COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES OF SHEFFIELD LAKE CHARTER PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE TITLE ONE - Administration TITLE THREE - Streets and Traffic Control Devices TITLE FIVE - Vehicles CHAPTER 331 Operation Generally 331.01 DRIVING UPON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY; EXCEPTIONS. 331.02 PASSING TO RIGHT WHEN PROCEEDING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. 331.03 OVERTAKING, PASSING TO LEFT; DRIVER'S DUTIES. 331.04 OVERTAKING AND PASSING UPON RIGHT. 331.05 OVERTAKING, PASSING TO LEFT OF CENTER. 331.06 ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON DRIVING UPON LEFT SIDE OF ROADWAY. 331.07 HAZARDOUS OR NO PASSING ZONES. 331.08 DRIVING IN MARKED LANES OR CONTINUOUS LINES OF TRAFFIC. 331.09 FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY. 331.10 TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS. 331.11 TURNING INTO PRIVATE DRIVEWAY, ALLEY OR BUILDING. 331.12 "U" TURNS RESTRICTED. 331.13 STARTING AND BACKING VEHICLES. 331.14 SIGNALS BEFORE CHANGING COURSE, TURNING OR STOPPING. 331.15 HAND AND ARM SIGNALS. 331.16 RIGHT OF WAY AT INTERSECTIONS. 331.17 RIGHT OF WAY WHEN TURNING LEFT. 331.18 OPERATION OF VEHICLE AT YIELD SIGNS. 331.19 OPERATION OF VEHICLE AT STOP SIGNS. 331.20 EMERGENCY OR PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLES AT STOP SIGNALS OR SIGNS. 331.21 RIGHT OF WAY OF PUBLIC SAFETY OR CORONER’S VEHICLE. 331.211 REPORT OF VEHICLE FAILING TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY TO PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLE. 331.22 DRIVING ONTO ROADWAY FROM PLACE OTHER THAN ROADWAY: DUTY TO YIELD. 331.23 DRIVING ONTO ROADWAY FROM PLACE OTHER THAN ROADWAY: STOPPING AT SIDEWALK. 331.24 RIGHT OF WAY OF FUNERAL PROCESSION. 331.25 DRIVER'S VIEW AND CONTROL TO BE UNOBSTRUCTED BY LOAD OR PERSONS. 331.26 DRIVING UPON STREET POSTED AS CLOSED FOR REPAIR. 331.27 FOLLOWING AND PARKING NEAR EMERGENCY OR SAFETY VEHICLES. 331.28 DRIVING OVER FIRE HOSE. 331.29 DRIVING THROUGH SAFETY ZONE. 331.30 ONE-WAY STREETS AND ROTARY TRAFFIC ISLANDS. 331.31 DRIVING UPON DIVIDED ROADWAYS. 331.32 ENTERING AND EXITING CONTROLLED-ACCESS HIGHWAY. 331.33 OBSTRUCTING INTERSECTION, CROSSWALK OR GRADE CROSSING. 331.34 FAILURE TO CONTROL; WEAVING; FULL TIME AND ATTENTION. 331.35 OCCUPYING 331.36 SQUEALING TIRES, "PEELING," CRACKING EXHAUST NOISES. 331.37 DRIVING UPON SIDEWALKS, STREET LAWNS OR CURBS. 331.38 STOPPING FOR SCHOOL BUS; DISCHARGING CHILDREN. 331.381 SCHOOL BUS OPERATOR TO REPORT VIOLATIONS. 331.39 DRIVING ACROSS GRADE CROSSING. 331.40 STOPPING AT GRADE CROSSING. 331.401 SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS. 331.41 SHORTCUTTING; AVOIDING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. 331.42 DRIVING ACROSS OPEN DITCHES. 331.43 LITTERING FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. 331.44 WEARING EARPLUGS OR EARPHONES PROHIBITED. 331.45 VEHICULAR OPERATION ON STREET CLOSED DUE TO RISE IN WATER LEVEL. 331.46 RESTRICTIONS ON THE OPERATION OF SCHOOL BUSES. CHAPTER 333 OVI; Willful Misconduct; Speed CHAPTER 335 Licensing; Accidents CHAPTER 337 Safety and Equipment CHAPTER 339 Commercial and Heavy Vehicles CHAPTER 341 Commercial Drivers CHAPTER 343 Transportation of Hazardous Wastes TITLE SEVEN - Parking TITLE NINE - Pedestrians, Bicycles and Motorcycles PART FIVE - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE PART NINE - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE OH Sheffield Lake Codified Ordinances of Sheffield Lake, OH 331.41 SHORTCUTTING; AVOIDING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. CHAPTER 331 Operation Generally 331.40 STOPPING AT GRADE CROSSING.    (a)   (1)   Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the operator of any bus, any school vehicle, or any vehicle transporting a material or materials required to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. Parts 100 through 185, before crossing at grade any track of a railroad, shall stop the vehicle and, while so stopped, shall listen through an open door or open window and look in both directions along the track for any approaching train or other on-track equipment, and for signals indicating the approach of a train or other on-track equipment, and shall proceed only upon exercising due care after stopping, looking, and listening as required by this section. Upon proceeding, the operator of such a vehicle shall cross only in a gear that will ensure there will be no necessity for changing gears while traversing the crossing and shall not shift gears while crossing the tracks.       (2)   This section does not apply at grade crossings when the Ohio Public Utilities Commission has authorized and approved an exempt crossing as provided in this subsection.          A.   Any local authority may file an application with the Commission requesting the approval of an exempt crossing. Upon receipt of such a request, the Commission shall authorize a limited period for the filing of comments by any party regarding the application and then shall conduct a public hearing in the community seeking the exempt crossing designation. The Commission shall provide appropriate prior public notice of the comment period and the public hearing. By registered mail, the Commission shall notify each railroad operating over the crossing of the comment period.          B.   After considering any comments or other information received, the Commission may approve or reject the application. By order, the Commission may establish conditions for the exempt crossing designation, including compliance with division (b) of 49 C.F.R. Part 392.10, when applicable. An exempt crossing designation becomes effective only when appropriate signs giving notice of the exempt designation are erected at the crossing as ordered by the Commission and any other conditions ordered by the Commission are satisfied.          C.   By order, the Commission may rescind any exempt crossing designation made under this section if the Commission finds that a condition at the exempt crossing has changed to such an extent that the continuation of the exempt crossing designation compromises public safety. The Commission may conduct a public hearing to investigate and determine whether to rescind the exempt crossing designation. If the Commission rescinds the designation, it shall order the removal of any exempt crossing signs and may make any other necessary order.       (3)   As used in this section:          A.   “School vehicle” means any vehicle used for the transportation of pupils to and from a school or school-related function if the vehicle is owned or operated by, or operated under contract with, a public or nonpublic school.          B.   “Bus” means any vehicle originally designed by its manufacturer to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, or carries sixteen or more passengers, including the driver.          C.   “Exempt crossing” means a highway rail grade crossing authorized and approved by the Public Utilities Commission under subsection (a)(2) hereof at which vehicles may cross without making the stop otherwise required by this section.       (4)   Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (a)(4), whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of subsection (a) hereof or Ohio R.C. 4511.76, 4511.761, 4511.762, 4511.764, 4511.77 or 4511.79, or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to any of those sections, whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. (ORC 4511.63)    (b)   (1)   When authorized stop signs are erected at railroad grade crossings, the operator of any vehicle shall stop within fifty but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of the railroad tracks and shall exercise due care before proceeding across such grade crossing.       (2)   Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this subsection (b)(1) hereof is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.    If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under Section 303.991 of the Traffic Code. (ORC 4511.61) 331.401 SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS.    (a)   No person shall operate or move any crawler-type tractor, steam shovel, derrick, roller, or any equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of six or less miles per hour or a vertical body or load clearance of less than nine inches above the level surface of a roadway, upon or across any tracks at a railroad grade crossing without first complying with subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.       (1)    Before making any such crossing, the person operating or moving any such vehicle or equipment shall first stop the same, and while stopped the person shall listen and look in both directions along such track for any approaching train or other on-track equipment and for signals indicating the approach of a train or other on-track equipment, and shall proceed only upon exercising due care.       (2)    No such crossing shall be made when warning is given by automatic signal or crossing gates or a flagperson or otherwise of the immediate approach of a train or car or other on-track equipment.    (b)   If the normal sustained speed of the vehicle, equipment, or structure is not more than three miles per hour, the person owning, operating, or moving the same shall also give notice of the intended crossing to a station agent or superintendent of the railroad, and a reasonable time shall be given to the railroad to provide proper protection for the crossing. Where the vehicles or equipment are being used in constructing or repairing a section of highway lying on both sides of a railroad grade crossing, and in this construction or repair it is necessary to repeatedly move the vehicles or equipment over the crossing, one daily notice specifying when the work will start and stating the hours during which it will be prosecuted is sufficient.    (c)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.    (d)   If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under Section 303.991. (ORC 4511.64) 331.41 SHORTCUTTING; AVOIDING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES.    (a)   No person shall operate a vehicle across public or private property marked with signs "No Through Traffic" or words of similar import for the purpose of passing from one roadway to another.    (b)   No person shall operate a vehicle across public or private property for the purpose of avoiding compliance with a traffic control device.    (c)   It shall be prima-facie evidence of a violation of this section for the operator of a vehicle to cross public or private property as provided herein without using the service of such property, stopping the engine or both.    (d)   Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. 331.42 DRIVING ACROSS OPEN DITCHES.    (a)   No person shall operate or permit the operation of a motor vehicle, or any other vehicle, or any equipment, across an open ditch so as to result in the stoppage of the flow of water through such ditch.    (b)   Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof, in addition to the penalty provided in subsection (c) hereof, shall be required to reimburse the City for any expenses incurred by the City in cleaning or opening such ditch. (Ord. 42-72. Passed 4-25-72.)    (c)   Whoever violates any provision of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.     331.43 LITTERING FROM MOTOR VEHICLE.    (a)   No operator or occupant of a motor vehicle shall, regardless of intent, throw, drop, discard or deposit litter from any motor vehicle in operation upon any street, road or highway, except into a litter receptacle in a manner that prevents its being carried away or deposited by the elements.    (b)   No operator of a motor vehicle in operation upon any street, road or highway shall allow litter to be thrown, dropped, discarded or deposited from the motor vehicle, except into a litter receptacle in a manner that prevents its being carried away or deposited by the elements.    (c)   As used in this section, "litter" means garbage, trash, waste, rubbish, ashes, cans, bottles, wire, paper, cartons, boxes, automobile parts, furniture, glass or anything else of an unsightly or unsanitary nature.    (d)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (ORC 4511.82) 331.44 WEARING EARPLUGS OR EARPHONES PROHIBITED.    (a)   As used in this section: (1)   “Earphones” means any device that covers all or a portion of both ears and that does either of the following: A.   Through either a physical connection to another device or a wireless connection, provides the listener with radio programs, music, or other information; B.   Provides hearing protection. “Earphones” does not include speakers or other listening devices that are built into protective headgear. (2)   “Earplugs” means any device that can be inserted into one or both ears and that does either of the following: A.   Through either a physical connection to another device or a wireless connection, provides the listener with radio programs, music, or other information; B.   Provides hearing protection.    (b)   No person shall operate a motor vehicle while wearing earphones over, or earplugs in, both ears.    (c)   This section does not apply to: (1)   Any person wearing a hearing aid; (2)   Law enforcement personnel while on duty; (3)   Fire Department personnel and emergency medical service personnel while on duty; (4)   Any person engaged in the operation of equipment for use in the maintenance or repair of any highway; (5)   Any person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment; (6)   Any person wearing earphones or earplugs for hearing protection while operating a motorcycle.    (d)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (ORC 4511.84) 331.45 VEHICULAR OPERATION ON STREET CLOSED DUE TO RISE IN WATER LEVEL.    (a)   No person shall operate a vehicle on or onto a public street or highway that is temporarily covered by a rise in water level, including groundwater or an overflow of water, and that is clearly marked by a sign that specifies that the road is closed due to the rise in water level and that any person who uses the closed portion of the road may be fined up to two thousand dollars ($2,000).    (b)   A person who is issued a citation for a violation of subsection (a) hereof is not permitted to enter a written plea of guilty and waive the person’s right to contest the citation in court, but instead must appear in person in the proper court to answer the charge.    (c)   (1)   Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.       (2)   In addition to the financial sanctions authorized or required under Section 501.99 and to any costs otherwise authorized or required under any provision of law, the court imposing the sentence upon an offender who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of subsection (a) hereof shall order the offender to reimburse one or more rescuers for the cost any such rescurer incurred in rescuing the person, excluding any cost of transporting the rescued person to a hospital or other facility for treatment of injuries, up to a cumulative maximum of two thousand dollars ($2,000). If more than one rescuer was involved in the emergency response, the court shall allocate the reimbursement proportionately, according to the cost each rescuer incurred. A financial sanction imposed under this section is a judgment in favor of the rescuer and, subject to a determination of indigency under division (B) of Ohio R.C. 2929.28, a rescuer may collect the financial sanction in the same manner as provided in Ohio R.C. 2929.28.    (d)   As used in this section:       (1)   “Emergency medical service organization”, “firefighting agency” and “private fire company” have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 9.60.       (2)   “Rescuer” means a state agency, political subdivision, firefighting service, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization.          (ORC 4511.714.) 331.46 RESTRICTIONS ON THE OPERATION OF SCHOOL BUSES.       (a)   No person shall operate a vehicle used for pupil transportation within this Municipality in violation of the rules of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce or the Ohio Department of Public Safety. No person, being the owner thereof, or having the supervisory responsibility therefor, shall permit the operation of a vehicle used for pupil transportation within this Municipality in violation of the rules of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce or the Ohio Department of Public Safety.    (b)   As used in this section, “vehicle used for pupil transportation” means any vehicle that is identified as such by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce by rule and that is subject to O.A.C. Chapter 3301-83.    (c)    Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of this section or Ohio R.C. 4511.76, or Ohio R.C. 4511.63, 4511.761, 4511.762, 4511.764, 4511.77, or 4511.79 or a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to any of those sections, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. (ORC 4511.76(C), (H), (I)) Disclaimer: This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents varies from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken. For further information regarding the official version of any of this Code of Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588. Hosted by: American Legal Publishing Back to Code Library Previous Doc Next Doc 0 items available Detected legislative history Ordinances of Sheffield Lake, OH ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SHEFFIELD LAKE, OHIO ORDINANCE NO. 116-84 ORDINANCES OF SHEFFIELD LAKE order, the Commission may establish conditions for the exempt crossing designation, including compliance with division (b) of 49 C effective only when appropriate signs giving notice of the exempt designation are erected at the crossing as ordered by the Commission and any other conditions ordered by the Commission are order, the Commission may rescind any exempt crossing designation made under this section if the Commission finds that a condition at the exempt crossing has changed to such an extent order the removal of any exempt crossing signs and may make any other necessary order ordinance that is substantially similar to any of those sections, whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree ords of similar import for the purpose of passing from one roadway to another Ord. 42-72 order the offender to reimburse one or more rescuers for the cost any such rescurer incurred in rescuing the person, excluding any cost of transporting the rescued person to a hospita ording to the cost each rescuer incurred ordinance that is substantially equivalent to any of those sections, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588 Imported automatically by MunicipalWiki. The original publisher remains the authoritative source pending legal normalization and verification.