To enact section 4511.454 of the Revised Code to allow emergency personnel in public safety vehicles to report traffic law violations under certain circumstances.

Section 1. That section 4511.454 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 4511.454.  (A) When the failure of a motor vehicle operator to yield the right-of-way to a public safety vehicle as required by division (A) of section 4511.45 of the Revised Code impedes the ability of the public safety vehicle to respond to an emergency, any emergency personnel in the public safety vehicle may report the license plate number and a general description of the vehicle and of the operator of the vehicle to the law enforcement agency exercising jurisdiction over the area where the alleged violation occurred. Any such emergency personnel also may report any other apparent violation of the traffic laws of this state occurring at the same time.

(B) Upon receipt of a report under this section, the law enforcement agency shall conduct an investigation to attempt to determine or confirm the identity of the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation. If the identity of the operator at the time of the alleged violation is established, the reporting of the license plate number of the vehicle shall establish probable cause for the law enforcement agency to issue a citation for the violation of division (A) of section 4511.45 of the Revised Code. In the case of other reported apparent traffic law violations or if the identity of the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation cannot be established, the law enforcement agency shall issue a warning to the person who owned the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation, except in the case of a leased or rented vehicle, the warning shall be issued to the person who leased or rented the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation.

(C) As used in this section:

(1) "License plate" includes any temporary license placard issued under section 4503.182 of the Revised Code or similar law of another jurisdiction.

(2) "Public safety vehicle" does not include a vehicle used by the motor carrier enforcement unit for the enforcement of orders and rules of the public utilities commission.