§ 2131.41. Motor vehicle bumper regulations.

(A)

As used in this section:

(1)

"Passenger car" means any motor vehicle with motive power, designed for carrying ten (10) persons or less, except a multipurpose passenger vehicle or motorcycle.

(2)

"Multipurpose passenger vehicle" means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a motorcycle, designed to carry ten (10) persons or less, that is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.

(3)

"Truck" means every motor vehicle, except trailers and semitrailers, designed and used to carry property and having a gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or less.

(4)

"Manufacturer" has the same meaning as in Section 4501.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.

(B)

No person shall operate upon a street or highway any passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck registered in this state that does not conform to the requirements of this section or to any applicable rule adopted pursuant to this section, or Section 4513.021 of the Ohio Revised Code or rules promulgated pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Ohio Revised Code.

(C)

No person shall modify any motor vehicle registered in this state in such a manner as to cause the vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the ground, expose the fuel tank to damage from collision, or cause the wheels to come in contact with the body under normal operation, and no person shall disconnect any part of the original suspension system of the vehicle to defeat the safe operation of that system.

(D)

Nothing contained in this section or in the rules adopted pursuant to this section, or Section 4513.021 of the Ohio Revised Code, shall be construed to prohibit either of the following:

(1)

The installation upon a passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck registered in this state of heavy-duty equipment, including shock absorbers and overload springs;

(2)

The operation on a street or highway of a passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck registered in this state with normal wear to the suspension system if the normal wear does not adversely affect the control of the vehicle.

(E)

This section and the rules adopted pursuant to it or Section 4513.021 of the Ohio Revised Code, do not apply to any specially designed or modified passenger car, multipurpose vehicle, or truck when operated off a street or highway in races and similar events.

(G)

Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second or subsequent offense such person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(ORC 4513.021; Ord. 788-90: Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)