Ohio House Bill 56, which will go into effect in 90 days, makes evading police a felony and increases penalties for reckless driving, including activities known as “hooning.” The bill, co-sponsored by local Senator Terry Johnson, is 43 pages long and imposes stricter penalties on individuals involved in these activities.
“Hooning” refers to reckless driving activities like performing stunts, such as donuts and street takeovers. The new law escalates the consequences for evading police to a third-degree felony in Ohio and classifies hooning as a first-degree misdemeanor. This empowers law enforcement officers to make arrests in these situations. However, the bill focuses primarily on fleeing police officers in vehicles.
Representative Justin Pizzulli voted in favor of the bill, which passed the House with a significant majority of 84 to 6 votes. The bill’s detailed text is available in the Ohio Revised Code, Section 2921.331, which specifies the penalties for willfully eluding or fleeing a police officer after receiving a signal to stop.
The penalties under this bill primarily apply to motor vehicle pursuits. Running on foot from police does not fall under the same felony classification. Therefore, evading police on foot will not be considered a felony in Ohio under this legislation.
Opposition to the bill highlights concerns about its implementation. Some critics argue that increasing penalties alone may not effectively deter these activities without addressing the underlying causes. For example, while law enforcement supports the bill, there is an acknowledgment that prosecutors must carefully consider each case to ensure fair and effective application of the law.
Other states with similar legislation include California, where penalties for evading police can also result in felony charges if the pursuit involves a vehicle and creates a substantial risk of harm.