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Transporting Hazmat Inside Interstate 270

The City of Columbus restricts the transportation of hazardous material inside the beltway around the city known as Interstate 270. Generally, CDL drivers are prohibited from transporting hazardous material inside Interstate 270.  The exception is when the driver is transporting from either a point of origin or to a delivery point inside Interstate 270. If you are stopped for transporting unpermitted HAZMAT inside Interstate 270, and you do not have a point of origin or destination inside Interstate 270, then the police will issue a criminal complaint to you for this offense.

Disobeying A Traffic Control Device

In addition to issuing a criminal complaint for transporting hazardous material inside Interstate 270, police also will issue a traffic ticket disobeying a traffic control device. Notably, this is a moving violation that carries BMV points in Ohio. As to this moving violation, there are signs that direct CDL drivers transporting HAZMAT to use Interstate 270 to proceed around the city rather than crossing this beltway into the interior of the city. If a CDL driver transporting HAZMAT crosses over the beltway into the interior of the city, then this amounts to a disobeying these signs as well.

If you are a CDL driver and you received a complaint and/or a traffic ticket, then you should consult with an experienced traffic attorney as soon as possible.

At the Law Office of C.F. Cowan, P.L.L.C., we have represented many commercial drivers in Franklin County Municipal Court and in other jurisdictions in Ohio. We are frequently able to resolve traffic cases without the driver ever having to go to court. And the driver can continue to move on down the road earning a living.

Punishment For Transporting Hazardous Material Inside Interstate 270

The unpermitted transportation of hazardous material inside Interstate 270 is charged as a criminal offense, as opposed to a traffic offense. Specifically, this HAZMAT violation is a first-degree misdemeanor, which is the highest grade of misdemeanor in Ohio. The maximum potential penalty is as follows:

  • Up to 180 days in jail.
  • Up to a $1,000 fine.
  • A community control sanction.
  • Reimbursement for the cost of the community control sanction.
  • Court costs.

Punishment For Disobeying A Traffic Control Device

Disobeying a traffic control device ordinarily is charged as a minor misdemeanor. The maximum potential penalty is as follows:

  • A fine of up to $150.
  • Up to 30 hours of community service.
  • Court costs.

But if, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, then disobeying a traffic control device is elevated to a fourth-degree misdemeanor. The maximum potential penalty then is enhanced as follows:

  • Up to 30 days in jail.
  • Up to a $250 fine.
  • A community control sanction.
  • Reimbursement for the cost of the community control sanction.
  • Court costs.

And if, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, then disobeying a traffic control device is elevated to a third-degree misdemeanor. The maximum potential penalty then is enhanced as follows:

  • Up to 60 days in jail.
  • Up to a $500 fine.
  • A community control sanction.
  • Reimbursement for the cost of the community control sanction.
  • Court costs.

Community control sanctions generally can include residential placement, house arrest, drug/alcohol testing and treatment, specified education and training, community service, curfew, probation, etc. Under certain circumstances, the court also may order an offender to pay restitution to any identifiable victim who incurred economic loss as a result of the violation.

Points For Disobeying A Traffic Control Device

A conviction for disobeying a traffic control device is a moving violation that carries 2 points in Ohio on an offender’s driving record. For more information on how the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) processes points for moving violations and the substantial penalty for excessive points accumulation, see Ohio BMV Points System.

Discuss Your Charges With An Experienced Attorney

To learn more or schedule a consultation, call us at 614.695.5000 or fill out our online contact form. We work throughout the Columbus metropolitan area and central Ohio.

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