It is not a secret that Ohio isn’t a particularly walkable state. Many – if not most – cities in Ohio were founded, planned and constructed long before the concept of walkable spaces accessible by both individuals on foot and motorists alike became the norm in parts of the West. Partially as a result of this reality, far too many pedestrians and cyclists are struck by motorists in Ohio.
A bipartisan bill being considered by the Ohio House aims to minimize the risks that pedestrians face when they attempt to get from here to there. Many lawmakers hope that if the state recognizes a new criminal offense specifically concerned with motorists who cause pedestrians or cyclists serious physical harm as a result of their negligence, fewer motorists will behave negligently.
What does the bill do?
House Bill 714 classifies this new criminal offense as a second-degree misdemeanor. However, under certain circumstances, that classification could be escalated to a first-degree misdemeanor. For example, if a motorist causes harm while driving with a suspended license, the ordinary second-degree misdemeanor classification would be enhanced to a first-degree misdemeanor offense.
When a crash does not involve an aggravating factor – like a suspended license – offenders will face up to a $750 fine and a maximum of 90 days in jail. When an aggravating concern escalates the charge, offenders face a fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum of 180 days in jail.
The bill would also increase the state’s existing penalty for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. At present, this offense is classified as a minor misdemeanor. House Bill 714 would escalate this offense to a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Offenders would face up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $250.
As reported by local media, “So far in 2026, there have been nearly 400 pedestrian-related crashes, including 27 fatalities and 94 serious injuries, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.” While this new bill would not solve this problem entirely, it could certainly start inspiring a shift in these statistics in a more positive direction.
