Ohio House Advances Work Zone Penalty Bill -- Occupational Health & Safety

Vehicles pass a road construction zone with orange barrels, striped barricades, a bump warning sign and a left arrow directing traffic.

Ohio House Advances Work Zone Penalty Bill

Legislation would raise reckless driving penalties and let courts double speeding fines when construction workers are present.

By Chelsey Arries
Nov 12, 2026

Lawmakers in the Ohio House have approved legislation that would increase traffic penalties in construction zones when workers are present.

House Bill 82, the Trenton Gallaway Work Zone Safety Act, now awaits consideration by the Ohio Senate.

The bill would add up to $100 to fines for reckless driving in marked construction zones with at least one worker present. Drivers could avoid the additional fine by completing a driving safety course within 90 days of the violation. Those who fail to complete the course would face a higher fine and penalty.

The measure would also give courts authority to double speeding fines when workers are present in construction zones.

State Reps. Gary Click and Mark Johnson announced the House’s approval of the bill.

About the Author

Chelsey Arries is assistant editor for Security Today, Campus Security Today, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.

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