331.12  "U" TURNS RESTRICTED. 
 
      (a)     Except as provided in subsection (b) hereof, no vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade, if the vehicle cannot be seen within 500 feet by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction. 
 
      (b)     The driver of an emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, may turn the vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction.  This subsection applies only when the emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle is responding to an emergency call, is equipped with and displaying at least one flashing, rotating or oscillating light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle, and when the driver of the vehicle is giving an audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell.  This subsection does not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property upon the highway.

  (ORC 4511.37)
 
      (c)     Except as provided in subsection (b) hereof, no vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction within an intersection, or upon any street in a business district, or upon a freeway, expressway or controlled-access highway, or where authorized signs are erected to prohibit such movement, or at any other location unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety to other users of the street and without interfering with the safe operation of any traffic that may be affected by such movement.
 
      (d)     (1)     No person shall operate a vehicle across any portion of the driveway/parking area of the property known as 350 W. Cherry Street owned by the Board of Trustees of the BST&G Fire District for the purpose of facilitating a U-turn which reverses the direction in which said vehicle is traveling along State Route 37 East/W. Cherry Street from the time said vehicle enters the driveway/parking area until the time the vehicle exits the driveway/parking area.
 
              (2)     It shall be primia-facie evidence of a violation of this subsection (d) for the operator of a vehicle to enter the BST&G Fire District driveway/parking area from State Route 37 East aka West Cherry Street and exit onto State Route 37 East/W. Cherry Street and proceed in the opposite direction from which said vehicle entered without exiting the vehicle, stopping the engine or both
  
      (e)     Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.  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, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.  If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
   
 
 (ORC 4511.37; Ord. 2010-13. Passed 5-19-10.)