Sponsors propose new education, camera and penalty measures in House Bill 82 to protect highway workers

Representatives Gary Click and Mark Johnson testified on House Bill 82 that the measure would expand education, reporting and enforcement tools to reduce injuries and deaths in highway work zones.

Sponsors cited state crash and citation data and multiple recent incidents in which maintenance crews and ODOT workers were struck. Representative Gary Click said the bill would require driver's‑education coursework to cover construction‑zone safety and would authorize private contractors and ODOT to install permissive speed‑monitoring devices and flashing warning lights to inform drivers of their speed at the scene. The bill would also require a safe‑driving course approved by the Department of Public Safety after a work‑zone offense, and impose a $400 fine if an offender fails to complete the course within a set period unless an amendment changes how the fine is assessed.

Representative Mark Johnson described proposals to enhance reporting and allow law enforcement to obtain video captured at a job site for investigations. Sponsors said the intent is not automatic camera‑ticketing but to give officers evidence when investigating reckless driving, barrier tampering, or deliberate assaults on workers.

Committee members asked about overlap with existing Ohio Revised Code offenses for traffic control device violations and reckless operation, and about the cost and procurement of cameras. Sponsors said contractors could include cameras in bid specifications for interstate or larger projects, and that the bill focuses on education and awareness while reducing some previously proposed escalating fines. Representative Click said sponsors were open to technical changes requested by the judicial conferences and the committee.

No votes were taken; sponsors said they would continue to work with stakeholders on funding and technical language.