Ohio Speeding Laws

Basic Speed Law: No person shall operate a vehicle at a speed greater or less than is reasonable or proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the street or highway and any other conditions. OH § 4511.21(A)

Penalty for Exceeding Speed Limit

A first time violator may be:

• fined not more than $100, and
• the violator’s license may be suspended six months.

Penalty for Reckless Driving

A first time violator may be:

• fined not more than $100, and
• the violator’s license may be suspended six months.

Speed Limits

• 65 MPH established prior to October 1, 1995, on certain interstate and State freeways
• 55 MPH for vehicles weighing >8,000 lbs. empty weight and noncommercial busses on interstate and State freeways
• 55 MPH on other freeways inside and outside of municipal corporations
• 55 MPH on highways outside of municipal corporations except certain freeways
• 50 MPH (prima facie speed limit) on controlled-access highways and expressways within municipal corporations
• 50 MPH (prima facie speed limit) on State routes within municipal corporations outside urban districts
• 35 MPH (prima facie speed limit) on State routes and through highways
• 25 MPH (prima facie speed limit) on municipal corporation streets
• 20 MPH (prima facie speed limit) in school zones during recess or when
• children are going to or leaving school
• 15 MPH (prima facie speed limit) on alleys within a municipal corporation

Point System

A person, who accumulates not less than 12 points within a 2-year period from the date of the first conviction, is subject to a 6-month license suspension.

The following points have been assigned to speeding and speed related offenses: Street racing-6 points; reckless driving-4 points; general speed limit violation-2 points; 1st violation of exceeding either the 55 or 65 MPH speed limits by driving. 75 MPH-2 points; 2nd violation within 1 year of exceeding either the 55 or 65 MPH speed limits by driving more than 75 MPH-1 point for each increment of 5 MPH in excess of the posted speed limit excluding the first 5 MPH over the limit; 3rd violation within 1 year of exceeding either the 55 or 65 MPH speed limits by driving more than 75 MPH-2 points for each increment of 5 MPH in excess of the posted speed limit excluding the first 5 MPH over the limit; and, all other moving violations-2 points.