I've been driving for a long time, but there are still some situations that leave me uncertain about the law. See how you do with this short quiz:
The sign in the school zone says 20 mph "during restricted hours": so what the heck are the restricted hours?
- During recess, and when children are going to or from school. My rule of thumb; if I see any children or the lights are flashing, I drop down to 20.
You come up to a school bus stopped, lights on, dropping off kids on the other side of a four-lane road. Do you stop?
- You aren't required to stop. Buses aren't allowed to drop children off on the wrong side of a four-lane road.
You're walking along the highway. Do you walk with traffic, or against it?
- Against it. You'll just have to deal with the headlights.
The cops stop you on the way to the pool with a bunch of kids and dogs in the bed of your pickup. Are you OK?
- The kids must be over 16. Dogs, are OK, but you're still a moron. Dogs die every day jumping from the beds of pickups.
You're enjoying your new iPod as you drive; OK?
- Nope. It's illegal to operate a motor vehicle in Ohio while wearing headphones.
For adult motorcyclists, which of these items are required- helmet for driver, helmet for passenger, and eye protection?
- Eye protection and a helmet for the passenger. The driver is not required to wear one.
Do kids need a license to ride a moped?
- Yes. They must be at least 14, obtain a license, and operate within three feet of the right side of the road where possible.
Window tinting- how much is legal?
- Windshields must allow 70% of light in; side windows, 50%.
Left lane; OK for cruising?
- Repeat after me: Left lanes are for passing, people. Stay right otherwise.
Two one-way streets intersect. Is it OK to turn left on red?
- Yep.
You pass a school bus that is stopped, with lights on, letting kids out. No cops sees you sneak by. Can you get a ticket?
- Yes, with a positive ID the school bus driver's report is grounds enough for a citation.
- Nope.
You're 19, you sneak a beer, but only one, and drive home. Are you free and clear?
- Nope. "Operating a Motor Vehicle after Underage Consumption" allows the police to ticket you if you have a blood alcohol level as low as .02%, a quarter of the legal limit for adults 21 or over.













1. To clarify the motorcycle helmet issue: the driver must wear a helmet during the "learner's permit" period and for the first year after getting a motorcycle endorsement on the driver's license. Passengers must wear a helmet anytime the driver is required to wear one.
This is on page 18 (number 2) of the digest of motor vehicle laws.
What I want to know about Ohio traffic laws is this: at a 4-way stop, if two vehicles arrive at opposite sides of the intersection concurrently, who gets to go first?
Posted at 12:04PM on Oct 5th 2006 by dewey