State Representatives Mike Odioso, Mark Sigrist Highlight Legislation to Strengthen Pedestrian Safety and Clarify Vehicular Assault Laws

State Representatives Mike Odioso (R-Green Township) and Mark Sigrist (D-Grove City) today held a press conference to highlight recently introduced legislation aimed at strengthening pedestrian protections, clarifying driver responsibilities, and reinforcing penalties for serious vehicular offenses.

House Bill 714 updates Ohio law to ensure clearer right-of-way standards at crosswalks, if pedestrians lawfully enter a crosswalk or cross multi-lane roads. It increases penalties for repeat violations when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians.

"House Bill 714 creates a clearer legal standard to protect pedestrians who are lawfully entering crosswalks, including situations that involve multiple lanes of traffic, and crossing with or without electric walk signals," said Representative Odioso.

The bill increases penalties for repeat failure-to-yield violations within a one-year period and imposes additional fines when distracted driving contributes to the offense. In addition, the bill modernizes and clarifies statutory language governing pedestrian "walk" and "do not walk" signals to ensure consistency with current traffic control practices.

HB 714 maintains Ohio's existing felony penalties and mandatory prison terms for vehicular assault involving impaired or reckless driving, while closing a gap in current law by creating a misdemeanor offense when negligent driving causes serious injury and modestly increasing misdemeanor penalties for failure to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.

"I'm proud to introduce this bill because it protects pedestrians and holds negligent drivers accountable. By strengthening penalties and clarifying the law, it sends a clear message that safety on our roads must come first," said Representative Sigrist.

House Bill 714 has been assigned to the House Public Safety Committee and awaits its first hearing.

To watch today's press conference, click here.