Ohio Legislature passes bill increasing street takeover penalties; now awaits governor's signature

The Ohio General Assembly passed a bill on Wednesday that would increase penalties for street takeovers, reckless driving, and fleeing law enforcement.

The bill, known as House Bill 56, was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate and now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk for signature. The House passed the bill in December 2023.

The act of taking over city streets with cars, known as "hooning," has plagued many Ohio cities in recent months, including several incidents in Cincinnati.

House Bill 56, if signed, would add "stunt driving" to the definition of street racing under the law and now include such acts as vehicle donuts, burnouts, drifting, and wheelies on all public roadways.

“This bill will help restore law and order back on our roadways,” said Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), one of the bill's primary co-sponsors. “It will hold violators accountable for reckless behavior and increase penalties for individuals who flee from the police.”

Those who knowingly participate in such street takeovers outside of a vehicle by standing in roadways will now also face the same penalties as those who are inside of vehicles during such a disruption.

The legislation will also impose a fourth-degree felony for willfully evading a police officer using a motor vehicle and a third-degree felony if the action is immediately taken after the commission of another felony.