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Sponsors propose tougher education, cameras and training for work-zone safety after spike in strikes
Summary
Sponsors of House Bill 82 told the Public Safety Committee the measure would add driver education, require safety-course completion after work-zone offenses, allow monitoring devices and cameras for enforcement, and raise penalties in some cases to reduce worker strikes and fatalities.
Representatives Gary Click and Mark Johnson presented House Bill 82, a package of proposals aimed at reducing work-zone crashes and strikes on Ohio roads. Sponsors said the bill focuses on education, enhanced reporting, permissive use of speed-monitoring devices and cameras by contractors, and stiffer consequences for repeat reckless drivers.
"These are the men and women wearing the hard hats, the reflective vest... that I stand before you here today to represent," Representative Gary Click said, urging action after testimony that work-zone fatalities and hits on crews have risen sharply. Sponsors highlighted a proposal to require driver's education courses to include instruction on the dangers of driving in construction zones and to require completion of an approved safe-driving course after a work-zone offense.
Under the version presented, failure to complete the required safety course within 30 days could result in a $400 fine; sponsors said they intend the course to be an alternative that, if taken, could avoid the fine. The bill also would permit private contractors to install speed-monitoring devices and flashing lights to notify drivers of their speed and would allow ODOT to install cameras to record traffic flow so law enforcement can obtain images when investigating alleged violations. Sponsors said the bill is not intended to create automated ticketing from camera data.
Representative Brent asked where the bill adds new elements beyond existing Ohio Revised Code traffic offenses; sponsors replied the bill emphasizes education and reporting, reduces fines from earlier drafts, and would rely on contractor installation of monitoring devices as a bid specification for some interstate or four-lane projects. Representative Thomas asked whether monitoring devices or cameras would be used by police in investigations; sponsors confirmed footage could be used as evidence but said the bill does not enable automated mail-in tickets.
The sponsors also referenced a proposed name change to honor Trenton Galloway, a 20-year-old county worker killed in a work zone, and cited data they said showed hundreds of ODOT workers hit or killed in recent years. Representative Thomas suggested existing strategies—hiring detail officers paid by contractors—are effective; sponsors said the bill adds educational and reporting tools to complement enforcement.
No committee vote was taken; sponsors said they will return with possible amendments and technical language changes.
