Ohio lawmakers take aim at Brice speed trap

Legislation that would limit civil traffic fines issued by tiny communities — namely, a small village in southeastern Franklin County — was approved Wednesday by the Ohio House.

“I believe this bill address what is a fundamental issue of fairness,” said Rep. Hearcel Craig, D-Columbus, a primary co-sponsor of the bill. “This legislation will ensure our citizens are not falling victims to speed traps and abusive, excessive fines by a different set of rules beyond what the state law prescribes.”

House Bill 125 passed on a unanimous vote and heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

The bill stems from legislation passed by lawmakers several years ago to abolish mayor’s courts in villages with fewer than 200 residents.

“The legislation intended then to put a stop to some rogue village from primarily using speed traps and traffic fines not to enforce the law but just to bring in revenue,” Craig said.