Traffic Safety

A vehicle crash is any event that results in unintended injury, death, or property damage that is attributed directly or indirectly to the motion of a motor vehicle or its load.

Accident vs. Crash

• Accident: An unexpected, undesirable event
• Crash: An event that can be related to a contributing factor

Filing a Crash Report

What information do I need to file a crash report:

• Operator license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of insurance

These items should be present anytime you are operating a motor vehicle.

Ohio Crash System

Use the Ohio Crash System database to obtain a report of any crash you have been involved in. 

Enforcement

The following are the most common equipment violations:

• Display of license plates: Any owner or operator, in the State of Ohio, shall display all issued license plates in plain view on the front and rear of the motor vehicle. All license plates shall be securely fastened so as not to swing, and shall not be covered by any material that obstructs their visibility.
• Headlights: Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped with at least 2 headlights with at least 1 near each side of the front of the motor vehicle.
• Tail lights/ license plate lights: Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least 1 tail light mounted on the rear which, when lighted, shall emit a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. Either a tail light or a separate light shall be constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate.
• Extended loads: Whenever a load upon any vehicle extends to the rear 4 feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the side and rear. At any other time there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of such load a red flag or cloth not less than 16 inches square.
• Cowl, fender and back-up lights: Any motor vehicle maybe equipped with side cowl or fender lights or lights on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with back-up lights, either separately or in combination with another light. No back-up lights shall be continuously lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
• Use of Sun screening, Window Tint: On Ohio registered vehicles window tint must allow 50% light transmittance on the rear and side windows, and 70% transmittance on the windshield. In other words, the tint cannot be darker than 50% on the side and back, and 30% on the windshield. Light transmittance of 50% does not apply on the windows behind the driver if there are outside left and right side mirrors. Remember, auto glass is slightly tinted from the factory and will make the tint you apply to your windows darker than the advertised by the tint manufacturer.
• Bumper Heights: Maximum bumper heights shall be determined by the weight category of the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The height is measured from the ground to the bottom of the bumper or frame rail.