Ohio Turnpike Project No. 1
RULES FOR THE CONTROL AND
REGULATION OF TRAFFIC

5537-1-01 — Definitions.

(A) "Commission" means the Ohio Turnpike Commission, and also includes such officers and employees of the Commission as may act for or in the place of the Commission.

(B) "Turnpike" means all traffic lanes, acceleration lanes, deceleration lanes, shoulders, medial strip, bridges, overpasses, underpasses, interchanges, approaches, entrance and exit ramps, access roads, toll plazas, service plazas, maintenance areas, parking areas and any and all other area or areas adjacent thereto under the control or jurisdiction of the Commission and comprising a part of Ohio Turnpike Project No. 1.

(C) "Traffic lanes" are the continuous traffic lanes (each for a single line of vehicles) extending between the eastern and western termini of the turnpike. The westbound and eastbound traffic lanes are separated by a medial strip. The lanes immediately adjacent to the medial strip are denominated "inner" lanes. The lanes immediately adjacent to and beyond the inner lane are denominated "outer" lanes, except where three lanes are provided for the same direction of travel, in which case the lanes immediately adjacent to and beyond the inner lanes are denominated "center" lanes and the lanes immediately adjacent to and beyond the center lanes are denominated "outer" lanes.

(D) "Deceleration lanes" and "acceleration lanes" are speed-change lanes provided for vehicles entering and leaving service plazas or interchanges, respectively, and are adjacent to the outer traffic lanes.

(E) "Shoulders" are the paved strips adjoining the traffic lanes, acceleration and deceleration lanes, and interchange ramps.

(F) "Medial strip" means the area, including paved shoulders and grassed strip or median barrier separating traffic lanes for traffic moving in opposite directions.

(G) "Vehicle" means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property may be transported or drawn upon a highway.

(H) "Motor vehicle" means every self-propelled vehicle.

(I) "Motorcycle" means every motor vehicle other than a tractor, which has a saddle for the use of the operator and is constructed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, including, but not limited to vehicles known as "motorized bicycle," "motor scooter" or "moped."

(J) "Emergency vehicle" means ambulance, garage-service vehicle, garage towing and wrecking trucks, fire department, and police vehicles responding to emergency calls and when identified as such as required by law.

(K) "Bicycle" means a vehicle propelled by human power which is constructed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.

(L) "Truck" means every motor vehicle, except trailers and semi-trailers, designed and used to carry property.

(M) "Trailer" means every vehicle designed or used for carrying persons or property wholly on its own structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle.

(N) "Semi-trailer" means every vehicle designed or used for carrying persons or property with another and separate motor vehicle so that in operation a part of its own weight or that of its load, or both, rests upon and is carried by another vehicle.

(O) "Commercial Tractor" means every motor vehicle having motive power and designed or used for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry any load thereon except a part of the weight of a semi-trailer, or of its load, or both.

(P) "Bus" means every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than nine passengers and used for the transportation of persons.

(Q) "Pedestrian" means any natural person afoot.

(R) "Operator" means every person who drives, operates, or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle.

(S) "Police officer" means an officer of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and every person authorized to direct, control, or regulate traffic, or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations, on the turnpike.

(T) "Public police officer" means any one of those public police officers referred to in Section 5537.16 of the Revised Code.

(U) "Person" means every natural person, firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, corporation, trust, estate or legal entity.

(V) "Axle" means the common axis of rotation of one or more wheels, whether power driven or freely rotating, and whether in one or more segments and regardless of the number of wheels carried thereon.

(W) "Axle load" means the gross weight of vehicle and load imposed by any axle upon the road surface.

(X) "Gross weight" means the weight of a vehicle plus the weight of any load thereon.

(Y) "Combined axle load" means the gross weight of vehicle and load imposed by any two tandem axles upon the road surface.

(Z) "Aircraft" means any contrivance, now known or hereafter invented, used or designed for navigation of or flight in the air, excepting a parachute or other contrivance for such navigation used exclusively as safety equipment.

(AA) "Automobile transporter" means any vehicle combination designed and used expressly for the transport of assembled motor vehicles.

(BB) "CFR" means the code of federal regulations.

(CC) "Heavy commercial vehicle" means a motor vehicle in excess of 2-1/2 tons used for commercial purposes such as transportation of goods and wares.

(DD) "License" means the whole or part of any Commission permit, certificate, approval, registration or similar form of permission required by Ohio Turnpike Commission rules.

(EE) "Long combination vehicles" means semi-trailers with triple trailer or long double trailer combinations in excess of ninety feet in length.

(FF) "Service plazas" means service facilities as defined in section 5537.01 of the Revised Code.

5537-2 — OPERATION OF VEHICLES ON THE TURNPIKE

5537-2-01 Compliance with Police Orders.

No person shall fail to comply with any lawful order, signal or direction of any police officer.

5537-2-02 Compliance with Signs, Signals and Markings.

No person shall fail to comply with any traffic-control sign, signal, marking or device, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

5537-2-03 Speed Regulations.

(A) No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon the turnpike at a speed which is greater than is reasonable or proper, having due regard for the weather, traffic, surface, and any other conditions, and no person shall operate any motor vehicle upon the turnpike at a greater speed than will permit him to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead. In no event shall any motor vehicle be driven in excess of the speed limits prescribed by state law or in excess of posted speed limits.

(B) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the turnpike at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when such reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or when ordered to do so by a police officer.

(C) The Commission, in cooperation with police, has the authority to: (1) temporarily reduce speed limits on any part of the turnpike where hazardous conditions warrant the reduction in speed or where the reduction is necessary for construction or maintenance operations; and (2) temporarily stop traffic or reroute traffic off of the turnpike where warranted by hazardous conditions, construction or maintenance operations, vehicle accidents or other obstructions.

5537-2-04 Vehicle Operation.

(A) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the turnpike unless such person is duly licensed to operate such vehicle in accordance with law.

(B) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the turnpike unless such vehicle is registered in accordance with law.

(C) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the turnpike carelessly or recklessly, without being in reasonable control of the vehicle, or in a manner so as to endanger any person or property, or while the operator is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any narcotic or habit-forming drug.

(D) No vehicle shall be operated on the turnpike in violation of any noise standards promulgated by the United States or the State of Ohio and applicable to that class of vehicle.

5537-2-05 One-way Traffic.

All traffic lanes, deceleration lanes, acceleration lanes, entrance and exit ramps, shoulders, and other travelways on the turnpike are hereby designated as one-way lanes. No person shall operate any vehicle, or otherwise cause it to move, on any of such lanes and travelways in any direction other than forward and generally parallel to, and to the right of, the medial strip.

5537-2-06 Entering Traffic Lanes.

Upon entering a traffic lane from a service plaza, interchange, shoulder, or entrance ramp, the operator of a motor vehicle shall use the acceleration lane and the operator shall enter the outer lane with caution so as not to interfere with or endanger traffic. The operator of a vehicle entering a traffic lane shall yield the right of way to vehicles already on the traffic lanes.

5537-2-07 Space Between Moving Vehicles.

The operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle, the traffic upon and the condition of the surface of the turnpike, visibility, and all other conditions.

5537-2-08 Stopping or Suddenly Decreasing Speed.

No operator of a motor vehicle shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of the vehicle without first giving a clearly visible and conventional warning signal to the traffic immediately to the rear.

5537-2-09 Driving Lane - Passing.

The operator of a motor vehicle shall drive in the outer and center traffic lanes in the designated direction for traffic, except when lawfully crossing from one lane to another. The operator of a motor vehicle shall use the inner traffic lanes for passing only. Where three traffic lanes are provided for the same direction of travel, heavy commercial vehicles and vehicles operated at a rate of speed below the maximum in effect shall drive in the outer lane and shall use the center lane for passing only.

5537-2-10 Overtaking a Vehicle.

The operator of a motor vehicle overtaking another vehicle shall signal to the vehicle to be overtaken and shall also signal to any vehicles to the rear in sufficient time in advance of the movement indicated to give ample warning to other users of the turnpike who would or might be affected by such movement. Upon ascertaining that such movement can be made with safety, the operator may gradually pass the overtaken vehicle at a safe distance to the left thereof, whereupon the operator shall return to the outer or center traffic lane, but not until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

5537-2-11 Crossing Medial Strip.

No operator of a motor vehicle shall drive his vehicle across or upon the medial strip, including crossovers constructed thereon, except as provided in rule 5537-2-14 of the Administrative Code or unless permission to do so, in writing (which may be subject to all reasonable conditions contained in said writing), shall have been granted by the Commission, or its representative thereunto specifically authorized, for purposes incidental to or necessary in connection with the safety, maintenance, or operation of the turnpike, or any construction in connection with the turnpike. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the operator of an emergency vehicle may cross the medial strip at designated crossovers, provided in so doing the operator shall use caution so as not to interfere with or endanger traffic.

5537-2-12 U-turns.

No person operating a motor vehicle shall make a U-turn at any point on the turnpike unless directed to do so by a police officer or unless permission to do so, in writing (which may be subject to all reasonable conditions contained in said writing), shall have been granted by the Commission, or its representative thereunto specifically authorized, for purposes incidental to or necessary in connection with the safety, maintenance, or operation of the turnpike, or any construction in connection with the turnpike.

5537-2-13 No Passing Areas.

No operator of a motor vehicle, while on a deceleration lane, an acceleration lane, or interchange ramp, shall overtake and pass another vehicle which is in motion thereon, or attempt to do so.

5537-2-14 Operating On Shoulders.

(A) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the shoulders except in the case of an emergency or when so directed by a police officer.

(B) This section does not preclude the use of the outer shoulder for emergency stopping, parking or standing as provided in rule 5537-2-15 herein.

5537-2-15 Stopping, Parking, or Standing of Vehicles.

No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon the traffic lanes, acceleration lanes, deceleration lanes, bridges, entrance or exit ramps, shoulders, medial strip, or at any place where a "No Parking" sign is posted; provided that in case of an emergency, a motor vehicle may be stopped and parked on the shoulder adjacent to the outer traffic lane in the designated direction of traffic, but only if all wheels and projecting parts of the vehicle and its load are completely clear of the traffic lanes and all required warning devices are displayed in accordance with applicable law; and provided further that the Commission or its representative thereunto specifically authorized may grant permission, in writing, for such stopping and parking on the shoulder, subject to the restrictions contained in the preceding provision with respect to the place of stopping or parking and to any other reasonable conditions contained in said written permission, for purposes incidental to or necessary in connection with the administration of justice or the safety, maintenance, or operation of the turnpike, or any construction in connection with the turnpike. A person may not park or leave a vehicle standing on the turnpike for the purpose of demonstrating, striking or other similar purpose.

5537-2-16 Impounding of Vehicles.

Any vehicle which is illegally parked or abandoned on any portion of the turnpike, without first obtaining permission from a police officer, shall be towed off the turnpike and impounded at the owner’s expense. An impounded vehicle may not be removed from the place where it is impounded until after payment for towing, storage, and other costs and charges has been made.

5537-2-17 Stops At Toll Booths.

The operator of a motor vehicle shall make a complete stop at toll plazas when entering or leaving the turnpike.

5537-2-18 Lights Required.

Each vehicle upon the turnpike during the time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and at any other time where there is not sufficient natural light to render discernible vehicles and substantial objects on the turnpike at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead shall display such lighted lights and illuminating devices as are prescribed by the Revised Code of Ohio, applicable federal regulations and of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for such class of vehicle.

5537-2-19 Traffic-Control Signals.

All operators of vehicles approaching traffic-control signals exhibiting colored lights shall comply with the signals of the lights indicating the following:

(A) Green light-indicates that the traffic lane over which the light is displayed is open to traffic.

(B) Red light-indicates that the traffic lane over which the light is displayed is closed to traffic.

(C) Flashing light-indicates that all traffic shall reduce speed and proceed with caution and in compliance with all supplemental and related traffic signs.

5537-2-20 Procedure In Case of Accidents.

In addition to the requirements of the Ohio Financial Responsibility Law and of any other applicable law, in case of an accident to or collision with persons or property upon the turnpike, due to the operation thereon of any motor vehicle, the person operating such motor vehicle, having knowledge of such accident or collision, shall stop and, upon request of the person injured or any other person, shall give such person his name, address (and, if the operator is not the owner, the name and address of the owner of such motor vehicle), driver's license number, the registered number of such motor vehicle, together with proof of financial responsibility, and shall also report such accident to a police officer or to Commission personnel at the nearest toll plaza in the direction in which the operator is traveling.

5537-2-21 Public Police Officers.

To the extent that the proper discharge of official duties or the meeting of an emergency so requires, the provisions of rules 5537-2-2, 5537-2-3, 5537-2-7, 5537-2-9 through 5537-2-13, and rules 5537-2-15, 5537-2-17 and rule 5537-2-19 hereof shall not apply to any public police officer (other than those authorized to regulate and control traffic on the turnpike) who, while in the performance of his official duties, is in hot pursuit of any suspected offender under any criminal statute of the state of Ohio; to any public police officer authorized to control and regulate traffic on the turnpike while in the performance of his official duties; or to any emergency vehicle while under the escort of a public police officer authorized to control and regulate traffic on the turnpike and acting in compliance with the direction of said escort. The foregoing shall apply only when such public police officer or operator of a motor vehicle is sounding an audible signal by bell, siren, or exhaust whistle, and is showing a signal, by means of flashing lights, that is clearly visible within a distance of five hundred feet to the front and to the rear of his vehicle. Nothing herein contained shall relieve any public police officer operating a motor vehicle on the turnpike or the operator of any emergency vehicle thereon from the duty to drive with the highest degree of care for the safety of others which is compatible, under all attending circumstances, with the proper discharge of his duties.

 

5537-3 — LIMITATIONS ON USE OF THE TURNPIKE

5537-3-01 Prohibited Users.

The following shall not be permitted to travel on the turnpike:

(A) Pedestrians.

(B) Bicycles.

(C) Vehicles drawn by animals.

(D) Animals led, ridden, or driven on the hoof.

(E) Vehicles transporting animals or poultry not properly secured or confined.

(F) Self-propelled or towed construction, agricultural, or other similar equipment not designed for or employed in general highway transportation.

(G) Vehicles with improperly secured loads.

(H) Vehicles with metal tires, solid tires, or deflated pneumatic tires and vehicles with caterpillar treads, except by special permit issued by the Commission.

(I) Such vehicles as, in the opinion of a Commission toll collector or collectors or any police officer, are deemed to be unsafe or to be such as to create a hazard upon the turnpike. The burden of proof of the safe condition of such vehicles shall be upon the operators of such vehicles.

(J) Vehicles, including any loads thereon, which exceed the following maximum dimensions:

• Width - 8'- 6"
• Height - 13'- 6"
• Length - 40'- 0" for single units except passenger bus with three or more axles.
• Length - 45'- 0" for passenger bus with three or more axles.
• Length - 75'- 0" for commercial tractor and semi-trailer combinations the length does not include safety devices or bumpers attached to the front or rear of such combinations. The length does include overhang, except that automobile transporters may have up to 4' overhang in the rear and 3' overhang in the front of the vehicle (for a total maximum length of 82').
• Length - 90' - 0" for any long combination vehicles (length does not include safety devices or bumpers attached to the front or rear of such combinations).

Provided, however, that the operator or operators of any such vehicle or vehicles may make written application to the Commission for a permit to enter and travel upon the turnpike and the Commission may, in its discretion, grant such permit, in writing, upon such terms as it may prescribe; provided further that busses and fire trucks in course of delivery shall be exempt from length limitation.

(K) Vehicles exceeding allowable axle load or gross weight as determined by automatic toll equipment or other portable scales as follows:

• (1) Maximum axle load - 21,000 lbs.
• (2) Maximum combined axle load of any two successive axles, spaced four feet or less apart - 24,000 lbs.
• (3) Maximum combined axle load of any two successive axles, spaced more than four feet apart but less than eight feet apart - 34,000 lbs.
• (4) Maximum gross weight - 90,000 lbs.

provided, however, that the operator or operators of any such vehicle or vehicles may make written application to the Commission for a permit to enter and travel upon the turnpike and the Commission may, in its discretion, grant such permit, in writing, upon such terms as it may prescribe.

(L) Vehicles transporting explosives of such kind or in the quantity for which federal regulations or the statutes of the state of Ohio prescribes that there be displayed by said vehicles or the operators thereof warning or identifying flags and signs such as "Explosives," "Danger," or like sign, provided, however, that the operator or operators of any such vehicle or vehicles may make written application to the Commission for a permit to enter and travel upon the turnpike and the Commission may, in its discretion, grant such, permit in writing, upon such terms as it may prescribe.

(M) During high winds or during the prevalence of other adverse weather conditions, motorcycles, house trailers, horse trailers, boat trailers, long combination vehicles, utility trailers and all passenger vehicle-drawn trailers.

(N) Vehicles that are not capable of maintaining a speed of at least 40 miles per hour on level grade.

(O) Vehicles in tow by a rope, chain or other non-rigid connection.

(P) Disabled vehicles in tow except under the following conditions:

• (1) Passenger vehicles which become disabled and must be removed by towing or pushing, shall be removed by being towed or pushed to the nearest exit by a service vehicle from an official turnpike contract garage.
• (2) Trucking and bus company vehicles, which become disabled and must be removed by towing or pushing, shall be removed only by being towed or pushed to the nearest exit by a service vehicle from: an official turnpike contract garage, a company owned and operated service unit, or an agency operating under contract with the subject company whose vehicle is disabled.
• (3) Passengers are prohibited from riding in any vehicle being towed or pushed on the turnpike.

5537-3-02 Hitchhiking and Loitering Prohibited.

The solicitation of a ride, commonly known as "hitchhiking," or stopping for the purpose of picking up or discharging a hitchhiker, is hereby prohibited on the turnpike. Loitering in or about the toll plazas, service plazas or any other portion of the turnpike is prohibited.

5537-3-03 Commercial Activity.

No person shall solicit funds, offer or display goods or services for sale or post, distribute, or display signs, advertisements, billboards, circulars, written or printed matter, or operate mobile or stationary public-address equipment on or about the turnpike unless the Commission shall have granted permission therefore, provided however, that this regulation shall not apply to the display of customary warning, identifying, advertising, or like signs on a vehicle ordinarily and customarily carrying such signs.

5537-3-04 Aircraft Prohibited.

No person shall land an aircraft on or take off in an aircraft from the turnpike or otherwise operate an aircraft on the turnpike.

5537-3-05 Licenses.

All applicants for licenses issued by the Commission shall contact the Commission for the proper forms, instructions and schedule of fees pertaining to their specific application. The Commission reserves the right to deny, revoke, suspend and limit licenses.

5537-3-06 Engine Brake.

(A) Every motor vehicle and motorcycle with an internal combustion engine shall at all times be equipped with a muffler which is in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, by-pass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on the Turnpike.  Every motor vehicle and motorcycle muffler shall be equipped with baffle plates.

(B) Except in cases of emergency or extreme weather conditions, no person may operate an unmuffled engine brake on the Turnpike.

 

5537-4 — TOLLS

5537-4-01 Payment of Toll.

Every operator of a vehicle shall obtain a toll ticket upon entering the turnpike. Upon exiting the turnpike, every operator using the turnpike shall pay the toll prescribed by the Commission, except when such use shall have been exempted from such payment by the Commission.

5537-4-02 Evasion Of Toll.

No operator of a motor vehicle shall enter or leave the turnpike except through the toll-plaza lanes (except in case of an emergency, and in such case such entrance or exit may be made only under the control and supervision of a police officer) or commit any act with intent to defraud or evade payment of toll.

5537-4-03 Loss Of Toll Ticket.

The operator of a motor vehicle who, for any reason, does not have a toll ticket upon reaching the exit toll plaza at which he seeks to leave the turnpike shall be charged a toll for the applicable motor-vehicle classification from the most distant toll plaza on the turnpike.

5537-4-04 Exit Of Vehicle At Point Of Entry.

The operator of a motor vehicle on the turnpike who presents a toll ticket for payment at the same toll plaza at which such toll ticket was issued shall be charged the toll for the appropriate vehicle classification from the most distant toll plaza on the turnpike.

5537-4-05 Tolls For Public Police Officer.

Public police officers, while in the performance of their official duties, shall be afforded ready access to the turnpike without the payment of tolls.

 

5537-5 — PROTECTION OF PROPERTY

5537-5-01 Damage to Property.

(A) No person shall cut, mutilate, or remove any trees, shrubs, or plants, or deface, damage, mutilate, remove, destroy, or otherwise damage any sign, delineator, building, structure, tower, communications facility or equipment, fence, vehicle, or any other property or equipment owned by or under the jurisdiction or control of the Commission or its concessionaires.

(B) No person shall install or attempt to install, construct or place upon or under any portion of the turnpike, any item, sign, device, structure or equipment of any kind for any purpose whatsoever, without prior written approval of the Commission.

(C) No material shall be discharged on turnpike property, whether intentionally or unintentionally, that may cause damage to the turnpike, the general public, the Commission, its agents and employees, or any real or personal property owned, leased or under the supervision of the Commission. For purposes of this subsection only, "damage" includes any effect which may be injurious to health, safety or welfare, or which may cause financial loss or delay the movement of traffic or otherwise effect the safe and efficient operation of the turnpike.

(D) The operator, owner or lessee of any vehicle from which a discharge in violation of any provision of this rule occurs, regardless of the cause of the discharge, shall cooperate fully with the Commission, its employees, agents, and third parties authorized by the Commission, the police and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to respond to an emergency, discharge or blockage of traffic, and shall take any action deemed necessary by them to restore normal traffic conditions and to remove spilled or otherwise discharged material from the turnpike immediately. The vehicle operated, owned or leased by any person failing to cooperate or take such action as deemed necessary by the official in charge of the scene where the discharge occurred is subject to impoundment by the Commission or the police until such time as all penalties, towing and storage fees and costs have been satisfied.

(E) In addition to any penalties prescribed by these rules or by applicable state and federal laws and regulations, any person violating any provision of this rule shall be liable to the Commission for any and all costs arising out of said violation, including the costs of:

• (1) Collecting, testing and disposing of the material and restoring the turnpike to its condition immediately prior to the violation;
• (2) Replacing or repairing, in the Commission's sole discretion, any property damaged by reason of said violation;
• (3) Toll and concession revenue lost because of the closing of the turnpike, any part thereof, or any interchange by reason of said violation;
• (4) Medical care, supervision or other costs relating to personal injury suffered by the general public, the Commission, its agents or employees; and
• (5) Any other costs arising out of said violation and incurred by the Commission or third parties.

(F) The Commission may recover the costs under paragraph (E) of this rule by way of civil complaint filed in a court of competent jurisdiction, by a consent order executed by an authorized representative of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency or by any other lawful means.

5537-5-02 Injurious Material, Waste, and Rubbish.

(A) No person shall place or knowingly drop upon the turnpike any article which may damage or injure any person or property in or upon the turnpike, or dispose of bottles, cans, paper, garbage, rubbish, or other waste material of any kind or description at any place upon the turnpike except at places designated therefore within service plazas.

(B) The transport or shipment on the turnpike of hazardous or radioactive materials or devices, as those terms are defined in parts 172 and 173, respectively, of the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation (49 CFR 172, 173), shall be in compliance with applicable federal statutes and regulations of the United States Department of Transportation.

(C) Notwithstanding compliance with paragraph (B) of this rule, the transportation or shipment on the turnpike of radioactive materials or devices shall require a special permit from the Commission. All applications for such permits shall be made in writing addressed to the executive director at least thirty days prior to the date of the proposed transportation or shipment and shall provide, to the satisfaction of the Commission, that the shipment shall comply in all respects with the provisions of applicable federal statutes and regulations of the United States Department of Transportation. The Commission reserves the right to deny such permits, despite compliance with the aforesaid statutes and regulations, if in the Commission’s opinion, the transportation or shipment will be likely to endanger life or property and to limit such permit with respect to speed, times of travel, weather or traffic conditions.

 

5537-6 — VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAWS

5537-6-01 Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Except for those sections which are inconsistent with or modified by the rules and regulations herein, the current vehicle and traffic laws of the state of Ohio shall apply to vehicle operation on the turnpike.

 

5537-7 — PENALTIES

5537-7-01 Penalties.

Whoever violates Ohio Turnpike Commission rules is guilty under section 5537.99 of the Revised Code, of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense. On each subsequent offense such person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

 

5537-8 — ELECTRONIC TOLLING RULES

5537-8-01 Electronic tolling rules. 

(A) Account applications

(1) Applications to establish an account for the payment of tolls electronically shall be available from the office of the commission, on the commission’s website at www.ezpassoh.com and at other places considered necessary by the commission.

(2) To be complete, an application shall contain all of the information the commission determines necessary to properly administer the application process.

(3) The commission may refuse to open an account to pay tolls electronically on a prepaid or postpaid basis. Reasons for the refusal to open an account may include but not necessarily include the following:

(a) All of the information required in the application has not been provided by the applicant.

(b) The applicant has failed to furnish a valid credit card in good standing for the pre-payment of tolls, and the charge made to the account by the commission to open the account has been declined.

(c) The applicant has not executed and signed an account agreement to the commission.

(d) The applicant has failed to furnish the required surety bond for the payment of tolls by a post-paid account.

(e) Any other reason deemed appropriate or necessary by the commission.

(B) The commission may approve an application to pay tolls electronically on a prepaid basis if an application provides all of the following information.

(1) A valid credit card account in good standing from VISA, mastercard, discover or American express.

(2) A fully executed account agreement containing those terms and conditions approved by the commission and available from the office of the commission, on the commissions website at www.ezpassoh.com and at other places considered necessary by the commission.

(3) Any other requirement deemed appropriate or necessary by the commission.

(C) The commission may approve an application to pay tolls electronically on a postpaid basis if the applicant incurs annual Ohio toll usage of at least one thousand dollars and provides all of the following information.

(1) A fully executed account agreement containing those terms and conditions approved by the commission and available from the office of the commission, on the commissions website at www.ezpassoh.com and at other places considered necessary by the commission.

(2) A valid surety bond in the form prescribed by the commission in an amount equal to the tolls incurred by the customer for travel on the Ohio turnpike during the three month period preceding its application to open a postpaid account, or a minimum of three thousand dollars whichever is greater.

(3) Any other requirement deemed appropriate or necessary by the commission.

(D) The commission may suspend or close any account to pay tolls electronically for any of the following reasons:

(1) The account owner has failed to comply any the terms and conditions for maintaining the account.

(2) The prepaid account owners credit card has been declined.

(3) The prepaid account owner has failed to maintain a positive account balance.

(4) The postpaid account owner has failed to pay invoices when due.

(5) The postpaid account owner has failed to maintain the required minimum surety bond.

(6) Any other reason deemed appropriate and necessary by the commission.

(E) Schedule of fees. The commission may charge and collect the following fees in conjunction with the administration of the electronic tolling program:

(1) Monthly transponder service fee- seventy-five cents per transponder.

(2) Transponder shipping and handling fee- three dollars.

(3) Transponder replacement fee twenty-five dollars, unless the transponder is more than four years old.

(4) Returned check fee or declined credit card fee- twenty-five dollars.

(5) Late payment fee on post paid accounts one and one-quarter percent of balance owed calculated on a monthly basis.

(6) Printed statement and/or invoice detail fee:

(a) One to five transponders: one dollar

(b) Six to ten transponders: two dollars

(c) Eleven to fifteen transponders: three dollars

(d) Sixteen to twenty transponders: four dollars

(e) Twenty-one to twenty-five transponders: five dollars

(f) Twenty-six to thirty transponders: six dollars

(g) Thirty-one to thirty-five transponders: seven dollars

(h) Thirty-six to forty transponders: eight dollars

(i) Forty-one to forty-five transponders: nine dollars

(j) Maximum charge: ten dollars

(7) Unpaid toll administrative fee: ten dollars

 

5537-9 — ACCESSING CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION

5537-9-01 Definitions 

For the purposes of administrative rules promulgated in accordance with section 1347.15 of the Revised Code, the following definitions apply:

(A) “Access” as a noun means an instance of copying, viewing, or otherwise perceiving whereas “access” as a verb means copy, view, or otherwise perceive.

(B) “Acquisition of a new computer system” means the purchase of a “computer system” as defined in this rule, that is not a computer systems currently in place nor one for which the acquisition process has been initiated as of the effective date of the agency rule addressing requirements in section 1347.15 of the Revised Code.

(C) “Computer system” means a “system,” as defined by section 1347.01 of the Revised Code, that stores, maintains, or retrieves personal information using electronic data processing equipment.

(D) “Confidential personal information” (CPI) has the meaning as defined by division (A)(1) of section 1347.15 of the Revised Code and identified by rules promulgated by the agency in accordance with division (B)(3) of section 1347.15 of the Revised Code the reference the federal or state statutes or administrative rules that make personal information maintained by the agency confidential.

(E) “Employee of the state agency” means each employee of a state agency regardless of whether he/she holds an elected or appointed office or position within the state agency. “Employee of the state agency” is limited to the specific employing state agency.

(F) “Incidental contact” means contact with the information that is secondary or tangential to the primary purpose of the activity that resulted in the contact.

(G) “Individual” means a natural person or the natural person’s authorized representative, legal counsel, legal custodian, or legal guardian.

(H) “Information owner” means the individual appointed in accordance with division (A) of section 1347.05 of the Revised Code to be directly responsible for a system.

(I) “Person” means a natural person.

(J) “Personal information” has the same meaning as defined in division (E) of section 1347.01 of the Revised Code.

(K) “Personal information system” means a “system” that “maintains” “personal information” as those terms are defined in section 1347.01 of the Revised Code. “System” includes manual and computer systems.

(L) “Research” means a methodical investigation into a subject.

(M) “Routine” means commonplace, regular, habitual, or ordinary.

(N) “Routine information that is maintained for the purpose of internal office administration, the use of which would not adversely affect a person” as that phrase is used in division (F) of section 1347.01 of the Revised Code means personal information relating to employees and maintained by the agency for internal administrative and human resource purposes.

(O) “System” has the same meaning as defined by division (F) of section 1347.01 of the Revised Code.

(P) “Upgrade” means a substantial redesign of an existing computer system for the purpose of providing a substantial amount of new application functionality, or application modifications that would involve substantial administrative or fiscal resources to implement, but would not include maintenance, minor updates and patches, or modifications that entail a limited additional of functionality due to changes in business or legal requirements.

 

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